Long Beach Residents Gather To Discuss Recent Rise In Coyote Sightings
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Responding to a recent rise in coyote sightings, Long Beach residents gathered on Thursday to share ideas on how to shoo away the pervasive predators.
Long Beach animal services said encounters with coyotes have jumped recently – a common occurrence during the summertime that has become a concern for residents after a dog named Peanut was attacked recently in a Long Beach backyard by what was believed to be a coyote. A coyote was also captured on video recently attacking a small animal in Seal Beach.
Wildlife expert Rebecca Dmytryk, who organized the get-together, offered strategies to scare away coyotes that included shaking a beer can filled with pennies and using a noise-making "scare stick."
She said if you are confronted by an aggressive coyote, attempt to instill fear. Other tips to keep coyotes away include dispensing of bird seed, which attracts rodents that are a source of food for coyotes, as well as picking up fallen fruit from fruit trees.
Dmytryk said she hopes residents will now feel empowered knowing more about this wild animal that's often misunderstood.