Solana Beach coyote attack: Are your pets at risk?
You may have seen the headline: In late September, a dog was killed, and its owner injured, after they were attacked by coyotes in Solana Beach, just up the coast from San Diego.
That likely stopped many pet owners in their tracks, wondering whether they, too, should be worried about coyotes, or if this was simply a one-off case of a rare wild animal attack. In this instance, yes, it was a fairly odd set of circumstances in which an elderly woman and her dog were attacked by a small pack of five coyotes.
But that’s not to say that coyotes aren’t dangerous. They live everywhere—even in Central Park in New York City—and they’re highly adaptable. They tend to be scavengers, too, and will eat just about anything. Though predation is rare, it does happen. And for many people, they don’t really pose a threat, as they tend to be small—you could probably punt one across a driveway if it came down to it.
But again, they can be a threat to animals and pets. It’s difficult to say how many pets are killed by coyotes each year because reporting is wildly inconsistent, and often, it’s impossible to finger coyotes as the primary suspect. That’s to say that while coyotes may not feel like a threat, or at least a far-off one (and that may be so if you live in a downtown high-rise), they’re not non-existent.
Suffice it to say that you should take stock of your surroundings, try to get a sense of whether coyotes could present a threat to your dogs or cats, given those surroundings, and take any measures you think would help. Don’t treat them like they don’t exist, but also don’t think that you’re going to be dragged into the woods if you don’t keep your head on a swivel.
One tool that can help you gauge your potential risk is to look up the number of coyote encounters in your area using the “Coyote Cacher,” a free tool from the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources department. That tool can lay things out on a map to get you a visual of coyote dispersal around where you live.
Further, UC recommends that you feed your animals indoors, or at least empty and remove any leftover food from outdoor dishes. Animals should come in at night, too, and be aware that coyotes are typically more active at night and around dusk. Use a leash when walking pets, as coyotes may try to lure a dog, say, off a hiking path where it can be ambushed. If you have a yard, do your best to enclose and seal it up so that no unwanted visitors can get in.
The San Diego Humane Society also has additional ideas and guidelines for coexisting with coyotes, too, if you want to learn more.
Just remember: Coyotes will generally avoid people, but they’re around. They’re pretty much everywhere. Take some precautions to protect your pets, and don’t leave food outside or anything else that might attract them.
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