Hungry coyotes out and about
A resident who lives near Kenyon and Milliken e-mailed me about a recent coyote sighting. The frightening thing was that the coyote had an animal, either a cat or a dog, in its mouth.
This month, my boss, Joe Blackstock, was interviewed by Animal Planet for a series on wild animals in urban/suburban areas. Blackstock, an Upland resident, lost his cat to a hungry coyote last year.
It seems that residents, whether they're walking on the PE trail or going for a Starbucks run, are coming across coyotes more often. Animal Services Director Joe Pulcinella said the drought may be to blame. Coyotes are having a harder time finding food in their natural habitat so they head south for more opportunities.
Pulcinella said it's never a good idea for pets to be outdoors without supervision, especially small dogs and cats. And if you think a fence will help, think again.
"Coyotes are very nimble and clever and I would be hesitant to say that they cannot scale any
fence if the reward on the other side is sufficiently tempting," Pulcinella said.
The RC Pets Web site has more tips on living near coyote territory.
This month, my boss, Joe Blackstock, was interviewed by Animal Planet for a series on wild animals in urban/suburban areas. Blackstock, an Upland resident, lost his cat to a hungry coyote last year.
It seems that residents, whether they're walking on the PE trail or going for a Starbucks run, are coming across coyotes more often. Animal Services Director Joe Pulcinella said the drought may be to blame. Coyotes are having a harder time finding food in their natural habitat so they head south for more opportunities.
Pulcinella said it's never a good idea for pets to be outdoors without supervision, especially small dogs and cats. And if you think a fence will help, think again.
"Coyotes are very nimble and clever and I would be hesitant to say that they cannot scale any
fence if the reward on the other side is sufficiently tempting," Pulcinella said.
The RC Pets Web site has more tips on living near coyote territory.
Lest we forget, the coyotes were here first.
They are running in pairs on Red Hill, maybe we could train them to go after cut thrus.
For coyote and mountain lion anything on four legs or that appears to be on four legs is fair game. I'm sure they don't know if it's your pet cat Sizzle or your old dog Humphrey or your pre-toddler Leticia. They are only lunch to them. Don't take it personally. Just don't leave small children unattended near the foothills and keep your pets in at night.
I was leaving a friend's house near Hillside Community Church late one evening, and saw four coyotes go down the street, one at a time.