What to do if you see a coyote
By Shauni Lyles
County of San Diego Communications Office
Are you seeing more urban coyotes in your neighborhood? If so, don’t panic! The County’s Department of Animal Services (DAS) has some tips to keep them away and help you, your family and pets stay safe.
Coyotes will often roam out of their immediate area because of things residents do to attract them – like leaving a pet’s food and water outside or unsecured trash cans in the backyard. Try to remove all food sources, including fallen fruit from trees.
There are also some things to prevent coyotes from getting into your backyard. Have you ever heard of a
“coyote roller?” It’s a metal tube that you put on top of your fence, when the coyote tries to climb over the fence the tube will spin and prevent any traction. It’s an easy and humane way to keep coyotes out.
If you see a coyote approaching you, here’s what you should do:
•Stop and yell at it to go away.
• Make yourself look big and scary by waving your arms above your head.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Stomp your feet and make loud noise.
• Always maintain a safe distance.
Coyotes are a “rabies vector species,” which means rabies, a preventable viral disease, can spread through the bite of a rabid coyote to people or other animals. This is why it’s very important to take proper precautions and avoid coyotes when you see them in your community.
If you enjoy the County’s preserves or parks when you take your dog for a walk, make sure to always keep them on a leash and don’t let them stray too far away from you. If you have a cat, make sure to keep it indoors. If you see a coyote and you have a small dog with you, pick it up immediately. Keeping it on the ground will cause a coyote to charge.
For more information about wildlife, visit at www.sddac.com or call (619) 767-2675.