Coyotes abound and none are named Wile E

Tweet

The Horse brought up the subject of coyotes in the neighborhood in a recent post. I used to mention seeing coyotes roaming my neighborhood early mornings. Today, the situation is worse as their numbers have grown. Just this morning I spied three. I live in a densely populated area though close to the mountains where their dens must be. They patrol the lowland streets hunting for whatever (I once saw one with a rat dangling in its mouth) and I suspect mainly scoring human leftovers as I’ve seen them poking noses in fast food bags. Usually traveling solo, coyotes are used to humans and generally scamper away especially if you act aggressive and threatening. I was stalked once which was disconcerting. It happened on a broad street and I kept turning making myself “big” and loud charging. The coyote backed off then resumed stalking. Finally it must have tired of the game as it went away. Sometimes there are mates working as a tag team. Even in the big city you can hear their eerie wailing off in the distance. It’s scarier on the rare occasion you see a pack of four or five because you fear strength in numbers making a coordinated attack. Coyotes are a menace running amuck and the city does nothing to curb the population. Animal control also does nothing about the out of control raccoon population. These are animals are a danger to small pets and possibly humans. They make a mess of garbage. Coyotes cause cars to break, camp on front lawns and give long threatening looks to those walking small dogs. These predators aren’t endangered and to appease animal rights activists, don’t have to be destroyed but relocated and spayed and neutered. The city’s “solution” has been posting warning signs “Coyotes sighted” on corners. We’re informed not to feed them and make loud noise blah blah. Useless. Another example of government inefficiency and disregard for public safety. Even if people kept streets spotless, secured garbage bins and kept small pets inside, the coyotes will continue to roam more dangerously hungry.