Urban Coyotes

Laurie Anne Walden, DVM

Photo by Connar L’Ecuyer, National Park Service

Coyotes live in Charlotte, as you know if you’ve seen one or heard them singing at night. Although coyotes can pose a risk to people and small pets, there are steps you can take to avoid conflict and keep your pets safe.
 
The tips in this post are from 2 excellent resources that have lots more information about coyotes: the Urban Coyote Research Project (https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/) and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (https://www.ncwildlife.gov/species/coyote).
 
Remove Coyote Food Sources
Coyotes that find food where people live are rewarded by coming near people and lose their natural fear of humans. These coyotes can become a danger to people and pets. Coyotes are omnivores: they eat prey animals (mostly rodents but sometimes bigger animals), fruit, and other food items they scavenge.

• Don’t feed coyotes or use coyote bait stations.
• Feed your pets indoors; don’t leave pet food outside.
• Secure your garbage cans.
• Make sure there is no food in compost piles that could attract rodents or coyotes.
• Keep bird feeder areas clean and use feeders that keep seed from falling on the ground (seed on the ground attracts rodents).
• Clear away fruit that has fallen from fruit trees.

 
Keep Pets Secure

• Keep cats indoors.
• Keep dogs indoors, on a leash during walks (no running loose), or outdoors only with supervision, especially little dogs.
• For dogs that must be outdoors unsupervised, use a fence that is (relatively) resistant to coyotes: more than 6 feet tall with a ground barrier to prevent digging underneath and a roll bar across the top.
• Automatic or remotely activated outdoor lights might deter coyotes from your yard.
• Keep your pets’ rabies vaccinations current.

 
Don’t Run From a Coyote
If a coyote comes near you, be an intimidating human: make noise, wave your arms, and throw something at it. Don’t run away or crouch down.
 
Leave Coyotes Alone
Coyotes that are just doing normal coyote things and avoiding people aren’t a cause for alarm. Don’t approach them or harass them; respect them and don’t create conflict. Coyotes can’t be rehabilitated legally in North Carolina, so if you see one that seems orphaned, sick, or injured, leave it alone.
 
Report Dangerous Coyotes

• Coyotes that show no fear of humans or show signs of aggression (snarling, growling, or lunging) are dangerous. Coyotes can also carry rabies.
• If you see a potentially dangerous coyote, contact Animal Control, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (which has jurisdiction over coyotes in North Carolina), or a licensed wildlife control agent.
• Find a list of licensed wildlife control agents on the NC Wildlife Resources Commission “Have a Wildlife Problem?” web page: https://www.ncwildlife.gov/connect/have-wildlife-problem.

 
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/santamonicamtns/35970298854/in/photostream/

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