Yet another report of coyotes came from the Brentwood Community Council. California Department of Fish and Game Public (DFG) Information Officer Andrew Hewitt remarked that coyote attacks on pets in their own backyards are not uncommon. “They live in virtually every part of Los Angeles.†And they are not going away.
The DFG will only kill coyotes that threaten human life; they do not relocate them. “Pets are not a public safety issue,†he said.
Coyotes follow food sources, including small pets, trash cans, dog bowls, gopher- opossum and squirrel populations and feral cat colonies. They imprint their cubs with habituated behavior, rendering them fearless of humans. They will rarely, if ever, attack humans.
To protect small pets, keep cats inside; dogs on short leashes. (A retractable leash allows the dog to get too far away to save the pet from the coyote.) If you know a coyote is lurking in your ‘hood, spray garbage with an alcohol or ammonia spray bottle before leaving if out for pick-up; leave it out the morning of pick-up, not the night before. Coyotes hide under the cover of shadow and darkness and snatch small pray with great speed and dexterity.
In Brentwood, the coyotes have adapted to the pattern of garbage collection, feral cats, and scooping up gophers. They hunt through the night and early morning hours and retreat to their dens in daylight. Dens can be in any small place that allows burrowing and affords them a place to hide from predators. It doesn’t have to be big; they hunt in the urban environment just as well as predators in the wild. Your pets are a yummy snack.
“You have to take some personal responsibility,†said Hewitt.†It is possible to hire a private, federally licensed exterminator; they are not protected. “We don’t recommend that,†said Hewitt. Such a contractor will kill coyotes in the most humane way. The Department of Fish and Game will gladly send a game warden to address HOAs and neighborhood groups.
For more information visit www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild
Q&A About Confronting Coyotes
Q: What should I do if a coyote approaches me?
A: Wave your arms. Shout in a low, loud tone. Throw objects at the coyote while maintaining eye contact. Make yourself look as big as possible; if you are wearing a jacket open it up like a cape. If possible go towards active or populated areas but do not turn your back on the coyote.
DETERRENTS & SCARE TACTICS
• Spray a little ammonia in your trash can several times a week to cut the odor of food.
Place moth balls or moth ball cakes in areas where coyotes sleep or hang out to deter them from staying.
• Motion activated devices such as lights, strobe lights and sprinklers can be useful.
• Use radios that are set to talk or news stations to help deter the coyotes.
• Throw a can containing a few coins which can be shaken and thrown at the coyote.
• Throw balls or rocks. Bang two pans together, blow a whistle, use an air horn or use high pressure water sprayer.
• Alternate the above to keep the coyote from getting used to one method.
