Coyote's and Pet Safety

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PetSafe Kennels Presents Information on Coyote-Pet Safety...

Information Provided by Arizona Game and Fish Department

Click Here for AZ Coyote Information - Great Read! 



THEY ARE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK!!!

Canis latrans

Coyotes are common in rural and urban areas throughout 

Arizona. Coyotes tend to travel and hunt alone or in pairs, 

but they can form groups where food is abundant.

They are closer than you think...

•  We have several calls a month in regards to coyote attacks on household pets... It breaks my heart when a person calls me crying in regards to a furry family member being attacked. A lot of these people live in very populated residential areas and had no thought that they would have to deal with a coyote attack. NOT TRUE Folks. We have been dealing with this for over 15 years in our business and every year we see more and more attacks in the city as well as in outskirts of town.

• As the public move more and more out into the undeveloped areas... We are in-crouching on the wildlife natural territory that they have had for centuries. This does several things... One is that these animals are territorial and will continue to hunt in their area of domain no matter how many houses go up or roads are put in. Two... We have now given the native coyote an easy food source... With not only our pets but with our trash, pet food left out and the delicious smells of the food coming out of our kitchens and BBQ's. 

• The Coyote is instinctively afraid and leery of humans... However there are several factors that change their skittish behavior towards humans. The first is when they are coming in constant contact with society... They start to become used to seeing and being around humans, cars and noises that they are not accustom to. Second... During the times of scares water or food supplies they tend to get bold with their behavior an may become aggressive and even travel into the inner suburbs to find a food source. Also a female with pups may also become more aggressive. 

• In my studies... I have found that Coyotes are not necessarily pack animals like domestic dogs or wolves. If you see more than one... It may mean that they are traveling as mates (Male/Female) or that the female is hunting with her cubs. 

• Also... A Coyote normally will not kill for sport.. It has been well documented that domestic and packs of wild domestic dogs will kill for sport. They will attack an animal in packs and leave the carcass behind also causing a real threat to domesticated animals, especially when you live in a rural area. My Father lives in the middle of NO Where Stanfield AZ and one night I heard a pack of wild domestic dogs running through the wash behind his house... It scared the heck out of me. I went the next day and examined the wash for paw prints... There had to be over 6 traveling together.  

• A Coyote will hunt, stalk and attack anywhere in it's territory... If you notice with all the eye witness accounts... The Coyotes main objective with it's initial attack - take down of it's prey... Is to disable the prey. The Coyote has no intentions of feeding on the prey at the point of attack. It is well documented the the Coyote can and has carried it's prey almost a mile before it will rest and finish ingesting it's meal.

• There have also been claims that the Coyote will not attack your pet if you have them leashed will walking them... NOT TRUE... I have had several clients tell me that the Coyote ran out from the walking trail and attacked the pet while on the leash. 

• I have read experts advise to carry an air horn or to make loud noises... to scare the coyote off. My advise is to keep a bottle of household ammonia near or perhaps carry pepper spray that is compact when you are walking your pet. This is human but very effective because of the Coyotes elevated smell abilities. Yes this will also offend your furry family member... But if your pet is being attacked and you fear for his/her life... A little nasty smell in their nose is much better than the alternative. 

Check out a few frighting video clips:

This is very scary... A family watches will a Coyote attacks their small dog... However the family Rottweiler comes to the rescue. I was cheering the Rottweiler on before the end of the video. Also "Note" the small dog did survive the attack.

WOW!!! Watch this large Coyote jump this 6 foot wall effortlessly in broad daylight and a heavily populated residential area in Phoenix Arizona. 

Amazing Footage... I have seen dogs and cats try this... They have to survey the jump and then go for it... This Coyote does not even think about it. If your having this problem... Contact us. We install "Coyote Rollers". Prevents jumping in or out. 

I've rambled long enough.. Please feel free to add advise, comments or questions. My next blog will address how to keep your pet safe by adding a outside dog kennel or dog run and also the use of Coyote Rollers - Jump Proof Fencing to your property. I will give you advise on how to do this yourself or hire a company such as mine to custom install. 

                      The most important issue here is to keep your PetSafe;) 

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Information Provided by Arizona Game and Fish Department

Click Here for AZ Coyote Information - Great Read! 

Yup "That Be Jack"!!!

Description and Habits

• Usually gray with a rusty color on neck and flanks
• Black patches on base and tip of tail help distinguish from dogs
• 20-30 pounds
• 18-21 inches tall
• 42-50 inches long
• Average litter of 4 to 5 pups
• Run as fast as 40 miles per hour
• Diet includes fruits and vegetables, pet food, small wild and domestic animals, snakes and lizards, and garbage

Possible Conflicts with Humans and Pets

Coyotes are curious, clever, and adaptable. They quickly learn to take advantage of any newly discovered food source, and are often attracted to yards with abundant fruit and wildlife to eat. Coyotes will eat pet food and knock over unsecured garbage cans, or may walk along the tops of walls around homes in search of unattended dogs and cats to eat. Coyotes may consider large or loud dogs to be a threat to their territory and become aggressive toward those dogs. Coyotes have lured free-roaming dogs away from their owners to attack, and bold coyotes may attack small dogs on retractable leashes.

What Attracts Them?

Coyotes may visit a home if they find food, water, or shelter there.

• Food can include unattended pets, birds or rodents attracted to bird feeders, pet food, garbage, or fallen fruit.
• Water sources can include a pet’s water bowl or a swimming pool.
• Shelter can include a storm drain or any cave-like area beneath a shed or unused building.

What Should I Do?

If you see a coyote near your home, don’t ignore it. This may cause it to lose its natural fear of people, which can eventually lead to aggressive behavior.

To discourage a coyote, immediately

• Make loud noises.
• Shout and bang pots and pans or rattle empty soda cans with pebbles in it (coyote shaker).
• Wave your hands or objects like sticks and brooms.
• Throw small stones or cans.
• Spray the coyote with a hose.
• Use a commercial repellent like Mace, if necessary, on bold animals that refuse to leave.

In an emergency

If a coyote is aggressive, approaching a person, biting, or growling and snarling unprovoked, then:

• Continue and exaggerate the above actions.
• Don’t turn away or run because the animal may view it as an opportunity to chase.
• Keep eye contact.
• Move toward other people, a building, or an area of activity.
• Call your local Arizona Game and Fish Department office (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon. -Fri. excluding holidays). Also, call Game and Fish if severe property damage has occurred or if there is possession of a live coyote. After hours and weekends, a radio dispatcher is available at (623) 236-7201.

Remember, removal is usually a last resort

Coyotes will keep coming back to the same area if attractants are not removed. Coyotes do not usually become a problem where the guidelines listed below are followed. Homeowners may trap and relocate coyotes, but must contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department for an appropriate release location before transporting the animal. Homeowners can also hire a wildlife control business to capture and remove coyotes for a fee.

To prevent further problems

• Remove anything outside your home that may be attracting coyotes. This includes garbage, pet food, water sources, and bird feeders that can attract rodents and birds for coyotes to eat.
• Never feed coyotes.
• Encourage your neighbors not to feed coyotes or leave anything out that might attract the animals.
• Feed your pets inside, and never leave them unattended, especially at dusk and dawn when coyotes are most active. If it's necessary to leave a small pet outside unattended, keep it in a sturdy enclosure with a roof.
• Keep poultry, rabbits, and rodents in secure enclosures.
• Trim and remove any ground-level shrubs and branches that provide hiding places or den sites for coyotes or their prey.
• Secure garbage containers and eliminate odors by cleaning trashcans with a 10 percent chlorine bleach solution. Put out trash containers on the morning of pickup, not the night before.

Possible Health Concerns

Rabies – Symptoms of this disease include foaming at the mouth, erratic or hyperactive behavior, and/or fearful, paralyzed, or lethargic behavior. Call 911 or your closest Arizona Game and Fish Department office immediately if you see any animal with rabies symptoms.

Anyone bitten by a coyote must immediately seek medical attention from a qualified health care provider. Whenever possible, the animal should be captured or killed and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing.

Canine distemper – This viral disease consists of fever, eye and nose discharge, loss of appetite, and coughing. It can be transmitted to and from dogs through bodily fluids. Symptoms can appear similar to those of rabies.

Canine heartworm – Coyotes can serve as carriers of this type of heartworm, which is spread among dogs by mosquitoes.

Mange mite – Coyotes may be a host for the itch or mange mite. Female mites can burrow into the skin. Coyotes with mange can lose their hair, which can make it difficult for them to control their body temperatures. Mange must be extremely severe before it disables a coyote. Most coyotes can survive with the disease for a long time.

Tapeworm – Coyotes can carry dog tapeworm, which can cause hydatid cyst disease in humans.

Laws and Policies

• Coyotes are classified as predators and have an open, year-round hunting season. A valid license is required, except in a case where livestock has been killed. See Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunting Regulations.
• State law bans firing a gun within a quarter-mile of an occupied residence or building while taking wildlife, unless you have the owner's permission.
• Check your local city ordinances, but most ban shooting firearms within city limits. Some cities ban using slingshots, BB guns, air guns or bows.
• Refer to ARS-17-239 on wildlife depredation and Arizona Game and Fish Department Hunting Regulationsfor more information.

THEY ARE CLOSER THAT YOU THINK!