Stories of coyote sightings are often in the news and like several other North Texas communities, Garland is noticing a spike in calls from residents who have seen them. In response, the Animal Control Department recently published helpful information from 911 Wildlife.
According to 911 Wildlife, coyotes rarely attack humans. They look for food that’s easy to get such as fruit, trash and small animals like rats, mice, squirrels and rabbits. Therefore, it is best to keep cats and small dogs indoors when possible and keep an eye on them when they are outdoors.
Coyote attacks on humans receive a great deal of media attention because they are so rare, but neither the Centers for Disease Control or state and local health departments have designated them a safety risk to humans. The CDC reports that more than 330,000 people visit emergency rooms annually for treatment of dog bites but, as pointed out by 911 Wildlife, “we do not usually banish these dogs from our homes.” Residents are urged to put the risk into the proper context – “statistically speaking, the risk of a coyote harming a human is practically nil.”
Suggestions to help keep coyotes out of your yard include:
- Keep small pets indoors and watch them while outside
- Make sure that garbage is secured and keep cans in garage until collection day
- Do not leave pet food outdoors
- Restrict the use of bird seed
- Keep fruit picked from trees and rotten fruit off the ground
- Do not put meat in compost piles
- Cut back brush that provides cover for coyotes as well as their prey
Most cities will not issue permits to trap coyotes and killing them has been a major factor in the increase of the coyote’s home range; as they are persecuted in one area, they are able to easily adapt to new areas. They also compensate for attempted population control by breeding at a younger age and having larger litters.
Simply put, it’s easier and more effective to follow the steps above to make your property less attractive to them.
911 Wildlife is a helpful resource that specializes in wildlife. For more information, visit www.911wildlife.com