In the wake of several recent coyote attacks on dogs in Westport, the Police Department offers this advice to protect pets:
- Supervise your pets while they are in the yard. Coyotes avoid conflict with humans, so your presence should prevent any problems.
- While out at night with your pets, carry a powerful flashlight and keep tabs on your surroundings.
- Coyotes can be successfully driven away using noise (high-decibel whistle or air horn) or thrown objects (balls, sticks, rocks).
- If you are walking a small pet and see a coyote, pick the pet up. Any time you are with your pet and see a coyote, give them a wide berth. You should gradually retreat but maintain situational awareness (keep eyes on), and be assertive and noisy (yelling or using a whistle).
- At home, a fenced enclosure is the best way to prevent unexpected wildlife encounters. Deer fences are designed to keep out deer, but they do a poor job of excluding smaller species like coyotes.
- Motion-sensitive lights can help alert homeowners to wild intruders at night, and help deter coyotes.
- Pets smaller than 30 pounds are at serious risk from coyotes, but coyotes will tussle with larger pets on occasion. Even larger pets will benefit from supervision.
- Remember: Coyotes can be active day or night.
Coyotes are increasingly on the prowl. (Photo/Richard Gabor)
Coyotes are now found throughout North America. They are an adaptable and opportunistic canid. Statistically, they pose very little risk to humans. There have been only 2 recorded fatal attacks by coyotes on humans in the last 100 years in North America. But they do pose a risk to our pets.
Resources include:
- U.S. Navy-issue 130-decibel storm whistle.
- Frontiersman 130-decibel bear horn.
- Mace-brand canine repellent.
For further information, call Westport Animal Control: 203-341-6011.