Coyotes And Concern On Rise In Residential Areas
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The Humane Society is offering a safety seminar on Nov. 13 in response an increase in coyote sightings in Dallas.
Known for traveling along creeks and staying in the brush, more and more coyotes are wandering into neighborhoods.
"Coyotes are very adaptable. They have learned they can find more food in a residential neighborhood than they can in an undeveloped area," said City of Dallas Wildlife Contractor, Bonnie Bradshaw.
Rather than treating the coyotes like wild animals, many residents snap photos or run into their homes. Coyote sightings increase with cooler temperatures and throughout the years, urban residents have reported more and more.
Dallas resident Sally Johnson was awakened on night by a cat's scream followed by deep growl.
"I realized what I'd heard was a coyote and my cat," said Johnson, whose pet was in fact killed.
Another woman, Patty May, experienced a frightening encounter with a coyote.
"It just scared me. There was this coyote staring us in the face," she said of that night.
Bradshaw offers has the following advice on how to react should someone cross paths with a coyote:
"We want to shout at it. We want to clap our hands. Pick up a stick, pick up a rock… throw it at the coyote, because that will teach it to stay away from people," she advised.
Birdseed or pet foot left out overnight may also attract rats and squirrels, with coyotes close behind since they prey on them. Johnson has taken down her birdfeeders and admits everything she "thought about coyotes were wrong."
She plans to attend the class to learn more, in memory of her beloved cat.
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