I've heard a lot of coyote stories lately and over the years. Here in Southern California we have coyotes, many coyotes. It is common knowledge that the cats that go "missing" are not simply missing. It amazes me that so many have outdoor cats in a place where outdoor cats become midnight snacks. But it is not only cats that lose their life to coyotes, dogs do as well. I've heard of many small dogs being taken out of their backyard, never to be seen again. Very sad.
Through the years I've heard story after story of single coyotes and coyote packs taking dogs. One story was about a Jack Russell on an extension leash that the owner saved only because of the leash. A coyote grabbed to dog as it crested a hill; the owner tugged and tugged, the coyote finally released the dog. He was rushed to the ER and stitched up, lucky. The largest dog that I personally know of was a Brittany Spaniel, a big dog for a coyote.
Just this morning when Luke and my husband were out on a walk; several people warned my husband about a coyote up on the hill. It was up on the hill where they were headed and as they had been warned, there it was. It was a young coyote, mangy looking and bold, too bold. It hid behind some bushes in ambush position. Seeing this my husband made a quick U-turn and head back. Even though a young coyote is not a threat to Luke, you never know what their posse looks like or if they are learning to hunt.
They coyotes here are small; probably a bit smaller than Tilley. But they are very dangerous and extremely experienced killers. Any animal that eats cats has got to get the job done quickly before becoming injured themselves. Often when I am at the park I see the remnants of the nights hunt. Tufts of hair, bones and other pieces strewn around drawing the crows to feed on the less than prime morsels.
Today I was out getting a new ID tag for Jessie; I also picked up a cat bell for her collar. With her hearing gone I like to know where she is and because she cannot hear me calling her at least I can hear her if she is moving around. As I was in the kitchen working on their dinner I heard her jingle into the family room when I stopped chopping and thought, "she sounds like a cat." I've never seen a coyote in my yard but I have seen them several streets over and I do not want them thinking that we have a cat in our yard. Nor do I want them thinking that Jessie is a cat. So the cat bell will be tossed and we continue to be vigilant; no dogs out at night and the dog door shut tight.
Here in Nova Scotia, there was a young woman who was attacked and killed by a pack of coyotes while hiking in Cape Breton. This occurred a few years ago, but since there have been several reports in the news about coyotes stalking humans. They appear fearless of humans. In the summer, I often hear them in the woods behind my home, as they howl and yip through out the night. I have yet (thankfully) to meet one, I hope I never do.
ReplyDeletewe live on a golf course and have watched many a coyote out scouting for a meal. we have watched them late in the morning out running by the golfers. you are so right, they are extremely bold! there are few cats in the neighborhood, and one homeowner lost his dog when a coyote scaled the 6 ft. fence and got it. my last dog was out one night and barked at a pack of them going by, as she barked and lunged her foot went between the iron fence posts and those super-sharp coyote teeth laid it wide open within a matter of seconds. it is so important to be more aware than naive when it comes to coyotes!
ReplyDeleteI live on an acreage and had three pomeranians and lost all of them to coyotes (not all at the same time)I let them out before I'd go to bed and they did not come back in. My immediate backyard was not fenced in but they never left the immediate area. Although I don't have any poms now my yard is now fenced.
ReplyDeleteI see evidence of coyote kills almost every morning while Im out biking/hiking with the dogs. At night they hunt in the schoolyard where I free run my dogs. There are a lot of rabbits attracted to the watered lawn. I dont worry too much about myself or the dogs, we're too big for the mostly single coyotes out here. I think that the prey is smaller here so hunting in a pack isnt feasible. It bothers me that people are so careless with their cats and small dogs. Our neighbors down the street have chihuahuas that frequently get out of the yard and are roaming loose and just a couple of months ago their was a large male coyote crossing the street to go back into the desert. Those chihuahuas would have made a tasty snack.
ReplyDeleteWhat about a small cowbell? They sell them in most sporting goods stores and agri supply stores in the hunting dog section.
ReplyDeleteHmmm; will look into it Amber. :)
ReplyDeleteI live in the Catskill Mtns in NY. I have lost a few barn cats to Coyote and many chickens. Drove up my driveway one late afternoon right around dusk and there was a coyote sitting down to chicken dinner, very bold and brazen as he stood there looking at me while I threw rocks and sticks at him to try to chase it away. I make sure my cats are in at night, and they pretty much stay close to the house during the day.
ReplyDeleteFor the past 3-4 years, there have been frequent warnings of fox and coyote in our Lombard, IL, subdivision - too much nearby development. Last week I thought a small reddish dog was dashing in front of my car, when I realized it was a fox. Haven't seen coyote but have heard more reports of it near my home. My dogs are NEVER out alone for late night potty, and the pup is tethered to curb her puppy enthusiasm. Safety first.
ReplyDeleteI woke on Christmas Eve morning to a massacre. a coyote had gotten in our suburban backyard, over 5ft. fences to kill 4 of my hens, and mortally wounding a 5th. Ran the bastard off only to immediately find him in the front of the house. He later came back and carried off a sixth - I was sick. With it daylight, the chickens had come down from their roosts to free-range...
ReplyDeleteI woke on Christmas Eve morning to a massacre. A coyote had gotten in our suburban backyard, over 5ft. fences to kill 4 of my hens, and mortally wounding a 5th. Ran the bastard off only to immediately find him in the front of the house. He later came back and carried off a sixth - I was sick. With it daylight, the chickens had come down from their roosts to free-range...
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