Yikes - Coyotes!

[Kimberly Daisy Kalli]

Just when potty training was going so well... I'm scared to let our dogs out in the yard.  Yesterday (in broad daylight) my daughter came in the house screaming.  A coyote was running up and down our fence line.  Daisy (2 yr old doodle) was running up and down with it, but she was inside our fence.  I think she thought it was another dog.  After getting the kids in safely, we ran out to bring the dogs in.  Four more came out of the woods behind our house and just stood there.  The coyotes were about 5 feet from my husband and they didn't budge - even when he threw large rock in their direction.  They came back again at night and were howling like crazy.  Our yard is fenced (but deer jump over the fence all the time and we are told that coyotes can jump anything under 6 ft).  Our backyard is about a 1/2 acre and completely fenced.  The poor dogs are only allowed out on a long leash near the back door to go potty with us standing outside to watch for coyotes.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I am not sure if its possible where you live but I know in Ohio its legal to kill coyote's at anytime because they are considered varments so there is no "season" for them.  We had two of them that were coming into our yard last year because we live next to a state park.  My husband was "practicing" with his bow and they just happend to get in the way.  Took about 2 weeks of "practice" to get both of them but fortunately they are gone now.  Five would be absolutely terrifying!!!!  They are really nasty looking creatures when you see them up close.  I wonder if there is anything that will deter them.....

[BG and Gavin]

Yikes is right!  Check out a discussion we had on this subject in the Cottage Doodles group.  Be safe.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/cottagedoodles/forum/topics/coyot...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We have coyotes all over our area. They have killed several small dogs and attacked larger ones. Jack and I were confronted by one on a walk a few years ago, and he was not the least bit afariad of either Jack or myself. I recently saw a standard poodle at my vet's office who had barely survived a coyote attack, and it was awful.

I know it's cold outside, but if the coyotes are that close to your yard, fence or no fence, I would be outside with them. A whole pack like that is a lot more dangerous than an individual or a pair, and if they're looking for food for their pups, they can be pretty ruthless.

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

Wow, that must have been a very scary situation for you. We have them around here too (I'm in Michigan also), but the only one I've actually seen myself was standing in a field near a busy road not too far from I-94. We live in a more rural area on 4 acres, and luckily I've never seen one here. I thought Coyotes usually traveled alone. Are they known to be in groups like that? I have read that there is a newer, more dangerous cross breed of a coyote and a wolf, that hunts in groups and is more aggressive. I think those are known to be more along the Canadian/US border near the Eastern US.

[Adina P]

Gosh that is scary.  They are so darn brave around humans...not good.  This is an expensive option for keeping critters who can climb fences out of your yard: http://www.coyoteroller.com/home

[Camilla and Darwin]

That sounds terrifying.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Wow, that is really scary. Five feet from your husband and not budging would be frightening to anyone. I think you are wise to allow your dogs out only on a leash.

[Frannie & Callie]

That is SO scary! We have the random coyote, but not a pack like you had! Your husband was very brave (you  have to love a guy in caveman/protector mode!)!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good thinking. I live in a suburban area of NJ but the properties in my town are big. We had a coyote attack on a small dog this year. The dog was not on a leash but the owner was nearby.

[Donna Vee]

I hear you...They are scary lil' creatures.  We live in the California foothills and the coyotes have already cleaned up on the neighborhood cats (including our own).  Now they are stalking small dogs too.  Our girls are 20-35 pounds presently, still a plump little meal for more than one coyote.  We keep them in at night but during the day they do run out in the yard for an hour or so at a time.  Our area is not as wooded as yours and we havn't seen any during the day for several years but....it's always on my mind.

 

Praying for safety :)

Donna