As coyotes are looking for mates and food, and also protecting their young, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds pet owners that the wild canines can be aggressive toward humans and small animals.
Coyotes roam free in Colorado’s abundant forests and open-space areas and will not hesitate to attack if they feel threatened, Rick Basagoitia, area wildlife manager in the San Luis Valley, said in a news release this week.
“We recently had a report from a woman near Crestone that a coyote grabbed her pet Chihuahua,” Basagoitia said. “The woman was able to chase the coyote off, but then (the coyote) acted aggressively toward her again the next day.”
The problem is most acute in the San Luis Valley and along the Front Range, although it’s only an occasional issue in Southwest Colorado, said Parks and Wildlife information officer Joe Lewandowski, based in Durango.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers these tips to avoid interactions with coyotes:
Never feed coyotes.
Don’t leave pet food outdoors.
Never approach coyotes, and make sure children know that, too.
If your pets are left outside, make sure they are kept in a fully enclosed area.
Never let your dog interact or play with coyotes.
If you see a coyote nearby, yell at it, wave your arms and throw things to make it feel unwelcome.
When walking your dog, keep it on a leash.
If you know that there are coyotes in the area where you walk your dog, carry a stick, a deterrent spray and a noisemaker – such as a whistle.
Attacks on humans are rare, but they have occurred. If you’re attacked, fight back.
If coyotes wander into your neighborhood, talk to neighbors and make sure the area is not providing attractants for coyotes.
“Coyotes are very hardy animals, and they’ll always be around, so we need to learn how to deter and avoid conflicts with them,” Basagoitia said.
If your dog is attacked and bitten by a coyote, you should call your veterinarian immediately; you also should call the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at (800) 866-2759.
If you are having problems with coyotes or other wildlife, call the Durango wildlife office at 247-0855.
johnp@durangoherald.com