COYOTE UPDATE

Thanks to everyone who attended the “Java with Jan” this past Friday to discuss the coyote problems we are experiencing in our community. We were honored to have Orange County Animal Control representatives attend to give our residents an opportunity to ask questions and learn preventative techniques when dealing with the coyotes. I want to thank Stephanie Waterman, the Chief of Field Services and Katie, the Community Education Supervisor for attending and giving us practical advice.

Key Points:

o This is a county-wide problem. The Wildlife, Fish and Game agency has now become involved to devise an aggressive plan to help with this situation.
o There are community volunteer programs being developed in south county that will be beneficial for our community to investigate.
o We cannot leave small animals unattended in areas that they are vulnerable, including our backyards.
o Coyotes can scale 8 foot fences.
o Coyotes work in packs. If you see one on the trail and they run past you, they may be attempting to bait your dog to run after them so the rest of the pack will close in and attack. Keep your dog on a leash and keep them close to you if you see a coyote
o Coyotes will harm large dogs and other animals if they are hungry.
o Deterrents:
• whistle,
• can filled with pennies, marbles ,…that make loud noises,
• air horns
• Two blocks of wood, if smacked together sounds like a gun shot
• If you bring a whistle, carry it on a lanyard around your neck so you do not drop it. You never want to get into a crouched position around a pack of coyotes. Once you are on all fours, you are now more vulnerable to be attacked yourself.
• If the coyote continues to approach, DO NOT RUN or turn your back on the coyote. Continue to exaggerate the above gestures while maintaining eye contact and moving toward an area of human activity
o Gas Company employees are told to carry umbrellas with them so if confronted they can open and close the umbrellas to startle and scare the coyotes away.
o Pepper spray does not work the same on animals as it does on humans, may not be effective.
o Someone asked about wasp spray. This does permanent damage to the coyotes eyesight. A blind coyote will attack anything around it, making it much more dangerous.
o An internet source suggested carrying a super soaker filled with vinegar.
o One resident uses a stun gun, not the type with the darts. The snap of the gun when activated, scares other dogs and coyotes away.
o There are products on the market that can help secure your yard.
• Break Away fencing can be installed on the top of wrought iron fences to keep coyotes out
• Roller fencing
• At home depot, they sell a product that contains cougar urine. This is advertised to keep coyotes out of the area.
o Keep yard areas clear of large brush to eliminate coyote hiding places. Through Animal Control, there are Explorer Scouts available to help senior citizens to clear their yards
o Do not leave food sources within easy reach- garbage cans, dog/cat food.

After searching the internet, I found this website that has many additional hints on living with the coyotes and minimizing their impacts on our lives. The site also references sound track deterrents that are available. One of our residents has purchased this CD and her experience has been positive thus far. It is an intermittent sound of lion hissing. For more information on this and other tips, go to: http://www.cpngov.com/safety/docs/2009/coyote_deterrents.pdf

We are having a dramatic increase in coyote attacks, particularly in the neighborhoods in the wildland interface.  The coyotes are becoming increasing bold particularly at sunset and early morning hours. Please follow the attached link to the “Living in Yorba Linda” blog site for specific ideas on how to protect your animals. http://www.landofgraciousliving.com/
In the past, we have had requests to exterminate the coyotes. We have been advised by professionals that attempts at extermination of the coyotes only serves to increase their birth rate as they sense their declining numbers. So the best we can do is to learn to protect our pets. There have not been reported attacks on small children, but vigilance in the interface areas is recommended.
Please do NOT take measures in your own hands to exterminate the coyotes. It is illegal and dangerous.