Seeing a coyote walking down a busy city street isn’t as uncommon as most would think, warns Long Beach Animal Care Services, as recent coyote activity around Long Beach and surrounding areas has prompted a reminder to residents of important safeguards to protect pets’ lives and property against wild animals.
Coyotes do not require open space to survive, and they have successfully adapted to living in close proximity to humans, according to animal care officials. Coyotes are most active at dusk and dawn, and in urban environments they are more active at night. However, they can be seen at any time of day.
An animal-control officer will respond to coyote calls if the coyote is sick or injured, out in the daytime in areas around people, especially children, such as parks or schools or anytime there is an attack or threatening behavior toward a person or pet.
According to the U.S. Humane Society, “Coyotes are found in every state of the nation, except for Hawaii. It is important to learn techniques to compassionately co-exist with coyotes and protect yourself and your pets.”
The following techniques are recommended by Animal Care Services:
• Never feed coyotes or any other wildlife.
• Keep pets, especially cats and small dogs, and pet food inside. If feeding outside, feed pets during the day (no more than one hour) and remove the food bowls when finished.
• Stay close to your pet when taking them outdoors and always keep them on a leash, especially from dusk through early morning hours.
•Remove fallen fruit from the ground.
• Bag food wastes such as meat scraps or leftover pet food.
• Keep trash in containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Use “hazing” techniques to shoo away coyotes, such as: standing tall, yelling and waving arms while approaching the coyote; using a whistle, air horn, bell or other device; banging pots or pans together; stomping your feet; using a water hose or pepper spray, or throwing tennis balls or rocks at the coyote.
• Never run from a coyote.
Long Beach Animal Care Services is requesting the assistance of the community by spreading the word through flyers to give to neighbors or to schedule a speaker for a neighborhood watch or community meeting.
To report coyote sightings, email animalcare@longbeach.gov or call Long Beach Animal Care Services at (562) 570-7387 (PETS) to determine if an animal-control officer is needed.
For more information about coyotes, go to Longbeach.gov/acs .
