What would you do?

[Richard Crowe]

We got a call from a family who live on a golf course in the city of Los Angeles who wanted to surrender their Maltese.  The reason for the surrender is that a coyote has been stalking the dog while they take it for walks.  Since they live on a golf course, they are not allowed to put up a fence and need to walk the dog to go potty.

Apparently the coyote has grabbed another dog while it was being walked on a leash and this same coyote has followed the Maltese into the family garage while being the dog was being walked on a lead. 

I am a firm believer in allowing wildlife to remain unmolested but, when a coyote becomes threatening like this one; something has to be done.  The question is WHAT?

Since I live in a rural area, the simple solution for me would be my twelve gauge shotgun.  However discharging a firearm within most city limits will get you in hot water.

What would you suggest that this family do.  Getting rid of the family dog or moving seems to be a drastic solution and one that I would not consider.

[K and Racey]

http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/fairbanks-man-fatally-shoots-neighbor...

Us rednecks here in Alaska don't worry about discharging our firearms within city limits.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Richard, my sister and her DH live along a golf course that also has coyotes.  The city and golf course owners hired some folks who set out traps and also hunter to remove/destroy them.  Though they are not all gone the pack has been greatly reduced.  Sounds like this coyote has learned that small dogs on leashes are an easy meal.

[Richard Crowe]

As I was picking up a rescue dog from San Diego Animal Control, I asked them about the coyote problem.  I was told that wild animals are not under the auspices of Animal Control and that the person who is worried about the coyote incursion should contact California Fish and Game Department which has the responsibility for wild animals.

If that fails, there are private animal removal companies.  Probably the price for this would be less than the fine for discharging a firearm within city limits.

[Lauria Orr]

I have recently learned of a harness-like apparatus that animals can wear that is supposed to protect animals from injuries from predators such as coyotes.  This is very new to me, and I am in the process of getting more information.  I will share the link here.  I have questions not directly answered on the web page, so I have put in a call to the owner of the company.  He responded and I was not available, so I will call Monday. He answered the questions I left for him, but I had thought of more, so need to get back to him.http://www.spikebite.com

My 2 dogs are playful and wrestle with each other...could they be harmed?  If a coyote attacks my dog, is there a chance the spike could penetrate the vest and injure my dog and not the coyote?  What is the material used,etc....

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I would do anything to protect my two and we do have coyotes all around our area as well. However my two are pretty big for a single coyote and my two are always together. However, if one were to become bold enough to be obviously stalking my dog, and got onto the property, I would be sure to at least try baiting him with food and poison. Yes there are more where that came from, but this sounds like one persistent coyote in particular. Besides, I have little grand babies with me in that garage coming and going. I would probably risk going to jail for shooting a coyote if it came to protecting them any day!

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

What about wasp/hornet spray? It is legal and has a far- reaching and very "directed" spray pattern. As with any chemical products, the user should carefully read and follow directions on the container! A couple of sprays with that might be just the ticket to discourage the pesk!...maybe?

[DJ & Chance]

I may be the odd person out on this response.

Like other dog owners I know, I would do whatever I could to protect my pet from a coyote or numerous other critters that could injure him.

But I am disturbed by the extreme solution—put the dog up for adoption—in the absence of other facts.

Coyotes are naturally shy creatures, but have shown more confident behavior as their habitats have disappeared. Reported attacks on humans and dogs by coyotes are much less frequent than reported attacks by dogs, but an attack by any animal that can injure or kill is a cause for concern.

If a coyote or stray dog is spotted in your neighborhood, the best advice I know of is to carry a walking stick or cane as a potential weapon. Coyotes are most active at dusk or dawn, so it is also best to avoid walking your dog at that time if coyotes are present. If you can, walk in a pack—agree with neighbors on group walks. On these walks, make noise. Laugh loudly, beep horns, clang pans, etc. The idea is to look threatening in the mind of the coyote. If a coyote approaches, try to look big—wave arms and sticks, be loud, and don’t turn your back.

Meanwhile, call someone who can assist in capturing the coyote. If none of this works, get in the car and take your dog elsewhere to potty. Or consider an indoor potty option. But don’t give up your dog just because a coyote is in the neighborhood without trying these and other reasonable options.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I live in a semi-rural area on 10 acres --suburbia on one side and acres of undeveloped watershed on the other.  All the wild things pass through here.  But if there were coyotes wandering around especially one that was harassing me or my dog, I would not hesitate to get someone to shoot it. But what then?  Is this an isolated situation or a continual worry? In their urban situation, I would carry mace or pepper spray.  They can report the animal as possibly being rabid. But only they can decide what will best protect the dog. For example,  I would not feel comfortable having a small dog because there are too many large hawks in residence. The hawks don't miss a thing and it would be a continual worry to me.    

[Lynda Kamrath]

I think they are on the right course to protect their dog.  And they definitely would get in trouble for firing a shotgun on the golf course.  Contact the right authorities, and they might get a pellet gun to carry with them when they are out walking.  I would hate to have to carry a weapon to walk my dog.  The coyotes around here have been feasting on chickens and geese.  They need to have something to eat.  When their natural habitats are gone, they will be seeking food supplies wherever they can get it.  Sad situation.

[Julie and Charlie]

Well, I agree with the shotgun. But, in town, I'd probably carry mace.