Are coyotes a suburban threat?

#Middlebury #Coyotes

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I bought a house in the suburbs last month. My next-door neighbor warned me that there is a coyote in the area and not to let my cat outside. I’ve read that coyotes are very shy and won’t bother dogs, and they aren’t fast enough to catch a cat. Should I just ignore the warning? – Pet Dad in Marlborough, Massachusetts

DEAR PET DAD: Coyotes have made a comeback in the U.S. and are present in many suburbs and even in the city. While coyotes are less likely to attack larger dogs, they’ve been known to go after smaller dogs. And cats are not necessarily fast enough to escape, either. So, if the neighbors are reporting a coyote in the area, take heed. Don’t let your cat or dog out in the backyard unsupervised.

Even if you have a fence around the yard, unless it’s over 6 feet tall (and not all municipalities allow that height) it may not discourage a coyote from hopping it and nosing around.

Coyotes are mostly looking for food. They’re opportunists. If there is cat or dog food left outside, for example, they’ll eat it – and probably come back later, looking for more. This is one way that conflicts with coyotes (and other local wildlife) can start. If they have a reason to come onto your property to begin with, and then start to see your pets as another food source – you’ve got a problem.

To sum up:

• Supervise pets when they’re outside. Stay out there with them.
• Don’t leave their food or water outside unattended; bring it in each evening.
• Consider wildlife-resistant fencing to keep coyotes and other unwanted critters out of your yard.

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