Stalked By a Coyote, Why Pet Owners Must Be Vigilant
An encounter with a coyote reminds us to not leave our pets unattended
About one month ago, I took my two Shih Tzus, Mochie and Meatball, for their evening walk up Green End Avenue, a routine that is rivaled only by a trip to the bank (which comes a cookie). Although our regular path cuts through the baseball field behind the Middletown Senior Center, one animal had a different plan for our evening.
Throughout the summer, I had witnessed glimpses of the creature; the shadow of his tail as he ran across the street, a flash of fur as he jumped into the brush. This time, as if to formally introduce himself, the coyote stood his ground, in the middle of the sidewalk.
I knew he was not curious to meet me; but rather my two, over-trusting, well padded companions. I clapped my hands and yelled. The coyote slowly retreated into the brush, but his leisurely pace seemed to call my bluff; a human ruckus is a threat only to the the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
I pulled Mochie and Meatball close and retreated towards home. The coyote, never far behind, followed us until we arrived back at the entrance of the Whitehall Farm Development, where we live.
The next evening, we saw him again, but he was where he left us the night before, at the entrance of the development. Every night after that, he lingered at the entrance. Not the heroes - in this particular story at least - we now drive to the beaches for our nightly walks.
Was the coyote stalking us?
According to Middletown Animal Control Officer Joseph Nunes, the answer is a surprising, yes.
“They are highly intelligent animals,” said ACO Nunes. “People don’t believe it, but they will follow you home.” He said once a coyote knows where dogs live, he will wait for his opportunity to hunt.
As if characters in The Grey - it was if we were trapped by merciless wolves. Hollywood drama aside, Nunes said coyotes are actually quite shy, but they are curious. They have increasingly become more accustomed to humans because they are fed, both directly and indirectly through trash.
He said coyote sightings have been reported this summer, but there haven't been any pet related incidents since last winter. In Middletown, there has never been an attack on a human or a dog on an attended leash.
To give the animal a more effective scare in the future, Nunes suggested to walk with something that makes noise like a can.
Although coyotes live in packs of 10 to 12, they will hunt in pairs or alone, said the officer. They will jump over fences and go into yards for food, even if a pet owner is nearby.
“They are like a dog, that has been highly trained by the wild for generations.”
Despite comforts like Starbucks coffee and Patch newsletters, there is an animal kingdom in our backyards. Through the domestication of dogs and other animals, we have entered their kingdom, and we don’t always set the rules.
Tips for co-existing with coyotes
- If you are walking small dogs, you can walk with something that makes noise to scare off a coyote.
- Do not leave small dogs on leash outside unintended.
- Keep dogs on a leash at night at all times. Coyotes are fast and will take a pet even with an owner nearby.
- Never feed coyotes. This is teaches the animals to not fear humans.
- Do not leave out food or feed pets outside.
- Secure trash; the population will regulate itself when food supplies become scarce. When the population grows in residential neighborhoods, it is typically because they have plenty of food.
- Keep cats indoors at all times. Bring small dogs inside at night, and accompany them in areas with coyote sightings.
- If a coyote is staring at or following you, he probably has had previous contact with humans and thinks you are going to feed him.
In This article
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Middletown Senior Center
650 Green End Ave, Middletown, RI (The Old Berkely School, circa 1917)
Karen D. Johnson
7:06 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Small air horns are very effective and sold locally. They are lightweight and small enough to fit into your pocket and their noise certainly makes a point!
MichAEL
10:01 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
good one.
Chowda Head
8:46 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Another tip: It's hunting season, let's get some professionals down here to take care of this once and for all.
Chris Christensen
11:26 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
They did hunt them last year but the "once and for all" was not allowed to happen. Those coyotes with bands were not allowed to be killed as they are being tracked. As if they are not making more newer little coyotes. You need an open season on them. Reward those that take a coyote a monetary reward of a few bucks with the turning in of evidence(a pair of ears?) to show that they have killed a coyote. A larger reward for turning in a radio transmitter that has been removed. Or the animal rights persons could take up a big collection and bring more rabbits onto the Island like what was proposed in Port Aransas, TX when it was noted that more coyotes are being seen in town and pets are being taken more often. More rabbits were needed to be turned loose in the dunes as the draught down here has hurt the rabbit population according to several residents. Honestly...that is the truth as reported in the local newsrag.
concerned owner
12:58 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
I fully agree Paul!
heather lancaster
9:41 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
I agree let the hunters thin them out a bit! I've also heard that they don't like the sound of coins in an empty soda can.
MichAEL
10:06 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
I don't agree.why don't you go out and kill them.It's like killing a dog or a cat, can you?????
concerned owner
11:50 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
I live in Portsmouth on the Main Road. For the past week and a half I have been woken up at 4:30 am by "screaming" coyotes across the street from my home. I'm affraid to take my German Shepherds out. They got out at 5:30..has anyone else from Portsmouth notified authorities about these animals?
MichAEL
9:06 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
You should kill all the babies also.Maybe you can watch.thats right once the mom and dad are gone the babies well starve.your like that........
ALL animal lover
12:00 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thank you for using this means of alerting the public to the increasiing danger of these predators. I, too, am a resident of this particular location and have had to be "vigilant" and protect my pets for the last 3 years. As a law abiding taxpayer, I do not want to be told that the entire burden of protecting my pets from being stalked rests solely on me. (Last year alone, the cost of erecting a fence around my property plus my yearly Middletown home tax was over $23,000.00.) All reasons why I am very grateful to you for getting this warning out to the public, along with Joseph Nunes and the "coyote hunter". Thank you!!
MichAEL
10:09 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
God help us.
Marion Herndon
12:35 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
I live on Dianne Avenue in Portsmouth. I have lost two cats to coyotes. You can believe me when I say that I never leave my grandchildren unattended when they visit.
concerned owner
12:56 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
I live near Potomac Road, and they are right there! I tried looking out the window, but I can't see them. My dogs start freaking out!
MichAEL
10:11 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
your dog fresk out to other dogs lets kill them also.....
sandra
4:54 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
What has this world come to when Humans must adjust to the life styleof coyotes? I thoughat we were higher on the chain? I am tired about hearing about the good coyotes and the bad coyotes..We live on third beach road and I use to walk every evening after work..It is sad to say that the voyotyes put a stop to that enjoyment. Why should I carry a horn or a can of coins and be petrified to walk outdoors? We hear them nightly and early in the AM hours Howling... I scan my yard at 6AM just baefore before leaving for work since one or two have been seen right where I park my car after I have left for work! We have a cat, 2- 90 ilb dogs and ducks. we ;have half the domesticated ducks we use to have and we never see foxes anymore and the rabbits are far and few inbetween.It is time to get rid of the good the bad and the ugly...especially when the shift of power and protection is on thier side and not on on the side of our enjoyment and personal comfort.....Aquidneck Islanders need to band together and do something about this...Our Silence is not helping our cause..I think we all should post on a daily basis sightings and loss of pets or missing pets...I feel it would be a real eye opener to show everyone the big bad picture and how out of controll it really is..maybe the patch can have a daily forum for this in regards to sightings, howlings and pets missing?!.....
N
7:15 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
You guys are all pathetic for wanting to kill animals just cause they bother your way of life have a heart its an animal that is just trying to feed and survive
Robert E
1:27 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
People get used to it the coyotes are here to stay you can't get rid of them. People have hunted wolves to the point of extinction the wolves were natural enemies of the coyotes no wolves and the coyotes flourished. Wolves have a natural fear of humans coyotes don't. People wanted to get rid of the pesky wolves and this is what you got. When are all you people at the top of the chain going to realize when you play god with nature you end up losing in the end. Nature has a way to keep everythig in ballance and when man interferes he ends up paying the price in the end.
Jonathan Bellemore
11:12 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I can't believe I actually read that the majority here want to kill the coyotes because they cause an inconvenience to your lifestyle. Let the coyotes be.