Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em, They Are Here to Stay
Coyotes are something between a concern and an obsession here in Beaumont-Wilshire. Sightings are common; so are rumors. Some neighbors have seen packs of five or more coyotes roaming B-W’s streets. Luckily, attacks on humans are extremely rare, although babies, toddlers, and small pets should be kept under a tight watch. Remember, though, that dogs are responsible for far more attacks on humans than coyotes and that coyotes are part of our local urban environment.
Here are some additional guidelines for coexisting safely with coyotes:
- Keep pets indoors from dawn to dusk.
- Keep dogs leashed, and pick up small dogs if a coyote is close by.
- It’s safest to keep cats indoors at all times.
- Never feed coyotes, and remove pet food, water bowls, and fallen fruit from your yard.
- Keep garbage cans, grills, and compost bins covered, and keep grills cleaned.
- Coyotes are typically afraid of humans, although they can become used to our presence. If you’re concerned about an aggressive coyote, make loud noises (loud whistles and bullhorns work), wave your arms, or throw small objects like sticks or pebbles.
- If you encounter a coyote, back away slowly. Don’t turn your back to the animal or run, as this can trigger the coyote’s prey drive.
For more information, check out the Portland Urban Coyote Project website (use QR code below) and Multnomah County Animal Services’ Living with Wildlife web page at multcopets.org/living-wildlife.