Coyote Conflicts Solutions: Why Killing Does Not Solve Conflicts with Coyotes

They Are Ineffective

• It is extremely difficult to ensure that the problem causing coyote(s) will be the one(s) located and killed.
• Coyotes removed from an area will quickly be replaced by others. Coyote pairs hold territories, which leaves single coyotes (“floaters”) constantly looking for new places to call home.
• If attractants in a neighborhood are not removed (e.g. pet food, garbage, etc) new coyotes in an area can quickly become “nuisance” coyotes.

They Will Not Reduce Populations

• Research suggests that when aggressively controlled, coyotes can increase their reproductive rate by breeding at an earlier age, having larger litters, and a higher survival rate among young. This allows coyote populations to quickly bounce back, even when as much as 70% of their numbers are removed.
• It is nearly impossible to completely eradicate coyotes from an area. Despite bounties and large-scale efforts to kill coyotes over the last 100 years, coyotes have in fact expanded their range throughout the U.S. and Canada tremendously. One study even found that killing 75% of a coyote population every year for 50 years would still not exterminate the population.

Removal is Costly

• Coyotes are very intelligent animals and are difficult to catch. Even a very skilled trapper or sharpshooter, at a hefty price tag, will need many hours to catch a targeted coyote.

Trapping is Inhumane

• The most common devices used to capture coyotes are leghold traps and neck snares. Both can cause severe injuries, pain, and suffering.
• Pets become unintended victims of traps set for coyotes. An informal search of media reports suggests thousands of unintended incidents have occurred, causing heartbreak for the families affected.
• Non-target wildlife is also caught - and many sustain injuries so severe that they die or must be killed.

Most Attacks on Pets are Caused by Healthy, Habituated Coyotes

• Except when rabid, diseased coyotes do not exhibit aggressive behavior more often than healthy coyotes.
• There is no evidence that coyotes with mange are more likely to attack people or pets. Mange-afflicted coyotes can simply appear threatening because they are weak, strange-looking (due to hair loss) and may be found resting in suburban areas during the daytime.
• Attacks on dogs during the months of April-December are probably caused by coyotes that have lost their fear of people (become habituated). This occurs when coyotes are being fed in residential areas (either intentionally or unintentionally through pet food that’s left outside, garbage, etc.) and are not harassed by people.
• A 10 year study of over 300 coyotes in the greater Chicago metropolitan area revealed only 2 coyotes that had attacked pets. Necropsies done on these coyotes showed that they had been eating pet food, but were otherwise healthy.

Territorial Attacks

• Coyotes breed between January and March. During this time, it is natural for them to protect their territories from other canids (including domestic dogs). Coyotes may attack dogs in yards or being taken for walks because they view them as a threat.

How to Protect Dogs

• It is normal for coyotes to be afraid of people. The best protection for your dogs is to always accompany them outdoors and to use a leash when walking them in a park. If your dog is left unsupervised in your yard, installing a coyote-proof fence is another solution. A coyote-proof fence is at least 6 feet tall and extends at least 12 inches underground or includes a rolled-out apron of mesh (measuring at least 12 inches horizontally and secured with landscaping staples). It can also be equipped with a protective device like a Coyote Roller (www.coyoteroller.com). Coyote rollers are meant to literally “roll off’’ any coyotes who attempt to scramble over the fence, and will be equally effective in keeping dogs from jumping out of fenced yards.
• Since most dog attacks occurring during April -Dec. are probably caused by habituated coyotes, it is critical to remove or secure attractants (such as pet food and garbage) from residential areas.

How to Protect Cats, Rabbits and Other Small Pets

• It is natural for coyotes to hunt small mammals -usually “easy” prey such as rabbits and small rodents. However, if outside, our pets may also be at risk. Keeping your cat indoors is the best way to protect her from harm -not only coyotes, but also cars, diseases, dogs, and even mean-spirited people.
• Pet food serves as an attractant for coyotes in residential areas. If you must feed pets outdoors do so only by day and remove uneaten food immediately.
• Elevated feeding places and escape opportunities (trees and/or a tall climbing pole) can help protect cats.

Education

Hazing

What is hazing? When coyotes do not run away when approached or charged by a human, they have probably become habituated, or lost their fear of humans. They may even approach people, looking for food handouts.

• Hazing is an activity or series of activities conducted to reinstill the natural fear of humans back into coyotes. It includes simple actions such as yelling and arm waving, water hose dousing, using noise makers like blow horns and whistles, and throwing objects such as sticks or toy balls.
• Communities including Denver, Colorado; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Los Angeles, California have successfully used hazing to reverse undesirable behavior in their coyote populations.