Should you be afraid? Well, we’re not the experts, but we certainly think you should continue enjoying your hiking, biking, picnicking, park visits, and roams throughout your neighborhood. Our sources tell us that coyotes are not typically aggressive. But certainly be cautious. Although coyotes have been known to attack humans (and pets) and as such are a potential danger to people, risks are said to be minimal. Also, majority of attack incidents could be reduced or prevented through modification of human behavior. Here are some tips from Urban Coyote Research online that can help.
1. Don’t feed the coyotes. You would never do that, of course! But did you know that you might be unintentionally feeding coyotes and other wild animals when you leave pet food or garbage out at night or if you have large bird feeders?
2. Don’t let your pets run loose. Coyotes have been known to easily scale a neighborhood fence, so don’t leave your pets unattended outside. Especially when hiking the trails like the George Mitchell Nature Preserve, keep your dog on a leash and don’t let him run freely.
3. Don’t run from a coyote. Easier said than done, right? Apparently, when you encounter a coyote, you should shout or throw something in its direction, rather than play victim. Another recommendation is to carry a noise-maker such as a can or rocks to scare the coyote away.
Be safe, and keep enjoying this beautiful area we live in!
