Coyotes?!

[jewelz617]

I took my daughter for a nice walk on the beach today. We live near woodsy area, which means we have to walk a fairly long dirt path to reach the shore. We had a great time at the beach, no one else was there and my daughter had a blast.

On our way back, she''s running in front of me and all of a sudden in the middle of the road, there''s this mangy looking dog (or what I thought was a dog) but I could instantly tell this was not a house dog. It stopped and looked at us and I instinctively grabbed my daughter. Then it took off.

I was spooked enough to call animal control and they told me to be careful because there have been coyotes in the area

 

[MonkeyPie]

A single coyote usually won''t attack unless they are hurt or sick - they tend to stick in packs. So unless you get followed by a whole crew, try not to worry! We have tons here.

 

[RaiKai]

Lots of coyotes here. Even in the city as there are a few in the river valley that runs through the city. They are usually alone and pretty wary of people. I see them when I go running in the river valley around dawn or dusk. Coyotes usually go after small prey - much smaller than a child.

I have seen them *trying* to go after young cow/bison calves but this is in rather harsh years and not with success. More like they just hang out and watch...

I used to spend a lot of time in an area with timberwolves...that was kind of scary to hear them at night. Now instead I camp in grizzly country...coyotes seem quite friendly in comparison.

 

[jewelz617]

I''ve never seen a coyote in my life! It was not threatening in any way, but still, being out in broad daylight with no one around staring at a coyote definitely had me shaking for a few minutes.

 

[MagsyMay]

My FI and I were walking back from a neighborhood bar in Chicago one night a few years ago and saw a really large coyote running down the street with either a rabbit/rat/unknown animal in its jaws! It was so bizarre, I kept trying to convince myself it was a German Shepherd but it SO was not, ha!

Around the same time, one popped up in a Quizno''s downtown Chicago. See link, I don''t know how to make it linkable! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17950832/

So strange!

 

[kenny]

In cities they can get used to eating out of people's trash cans.

Once they take hold LOST DOG and LOST CAT signs start spring up.

Keep your small dogs, cats and small kids away from them.

 

[HopeDream]

There are many coyotes in my area too - they eat local cats and rodents.

You should have no trouble chasing off a coyote or two - they are curious but quite skittish, even the urban ones.

 

[PumpkinPie]

we have coyotes around here as well - but that sounds pretty scary for you PinkAsscher! I hope you don''t run into any more

 

[Haven]

That is scary! But I agree, you were probably safe.

We have a lot of coyotes, deer, foxes, and other wild life around our home. I''m not surprised, though--this land was THEIR home before builders came out and decided to put our house on it back in 1958.

Our yard backs up to a red winged blackbird sanctuary, and there''s a long bike path that runs along it. It''s so cool to walk along it at dusk and see all the wildlife hanging out there.

I have known a lot of people who have lost their small dogs to coyote over the years. That''s always so heartbreaking.

 

[waterlilly]

Coyotes generally hunt in pairs, not packs. Encountering a lone coyote is nothing to scoff at. If they are working alone to survive they can be far more desperate. There have been children and adults attacked by lone coyotes in relatively urban areas. A hungry coyote that is not afraid of humans can be quite brazen and should not be looked at as harmless in any way - especially if you have a small child or small pet with you.

You did the right thing by reporting it - always report any sightings of them in public areas.

 

[jewelz617]

Thanks for the advice everyone, it''s much appreciated. I definitely plan on driving down to the beach from now on, even though like I said, all this coyote did was stop and check us out for a minute. My daughter is very small, not even 2 yet, so it''s probably best to play it safe.

 

[Tuckins1]

Crazy, huh? I love in a suburb of Detroit. We do have deer and fox around here in abundance, but a few years ago we started having coyote sightings! My parents live in a woodsy area, and they have a whole bunch living in the neighborhood. A Mama, a few babies, and a big male. Many dogs have gone missing, and they are NOT scared of humans. It is really creepy to look out the window and see a coyote staring back at you!

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 4/8/2010 11:46:03 PM
Author: PinkAsscher678
I''ve never seen a coyote in my life! It was not threatening in any way, but still, being out in broad daylight with no one around staring at a coyote definitely had me shaking for a few minutes.

If I remember correctly, I think you and I are from the same area. I''ve never seen a coyote in real life either, and I hope I don''t. They look so scary! I''m glad you and your daughter are okay.

 

[Erin]

Date: 4/9/2010 1:15:20 AM
Author: Haven

Our yard backs up to a red winged blackbird sanctuary, and there''s a long bike path that runs along it. It''s so cool to walk along it at dusk and see all the wildlife hanging out there.

This cracked me up because I am wildlife clueless. I remember going on a walk and asking Ooooh what are those pretty red winged blackbirds called? The reply was, Uhmmm, red winged blackbirds. Well, good name for them then.

 

[AGBF]

Last week a very frightened coyote that was trying to hide behind parked cars was captured in Lower Manhatten. Animal Control planned to find a safe place to release it. We have had some coyotes in Riverside, Connecticut for years. People have been warned to watch out for their cats and small dogs. When I lived here permanently I had a 110 lb healthy, young Lab with a powerful jaw who could have held his own against any coyote, so I didn''t worry. I would have to assess the current threat level if I were to get a dog here now!

AGBF

 

[jewelz617]

Date: 4/9/2010 9:49:13 AM
Author: ZoeBartlett

Date: 4/8/2010 11:46:03 PM

Author: PinkAsscher678

I''ve never seen a coyote in my life! It was not threatening in any way, but still, being out in broad daylight with no one around staring at a coyote definitely had me shaking for a few minutes.

If I remember correctly, I think you and I are from the same area. I''ve never seen a coyote in real life either, and I hope I don''t. They look so scary! I''m glad you and your daughter are okay.

I''m in Massachusetts, south shore. The town I live in is halfway between Cape Cod and Boston. I know that many years ago on the cape there was a coyote problem and people''s pets were disappearing. Years ago on the cape a toddler was attacked by a coyote while playing on a swing set. I remember it was a huge story because the mother fought off the coyote and called the police. Crazy stuff!

I have no problems with animals or sharing the general turf but it does make you wonder what you would do if you were in a dangerous situation.

 

[dragonfly411]

at my first house when I lived with my parents, we had a coyote that used to come hang out with our dog... opposite side of the fence but they''d just lay there by each other. Both male. He was actually a very decent looking animal... nearly the size of a shephard... not mangy looking. We have the around the area, you can hear them at night. Generally they are very skittish... more scared of you than you them. Just make loud noise. They''ll go away.

 

[zoebartlett]

PA -- I''m from NH, so not too far from you. We live in the south now, but we''re trying to get back home over the summer.

I''ve heard a bunch of coyote stories over the years, and they really scare me.

 

[movie zombie]

yes, woodsy areas have wildlife, including coyotes. coyotes are opportunistic and find the suburbs to be very convenient dining establishments. keep your daughter close and carry a big, sharp stick. if you have a dog....a big dog, that is, because little dogs are coyote food....take said big dog with you. coyotes usually won''t mess with a bigger, domesticated and hopefully protective dog.

we have coyotes and mountain lions as well in our area.

mz

 

[oddoneout]

There''s been reports of coyotes in my area too. I haven''t seen one myself though.