Coyote Information Guide

COYOTES

Coyotes are adaptable canines who overtime have been seen residing in many of Southern California's communities. They are scavengers and will find opportunities to get into your backyards for food and shelter.

They are an important part of our ecosystem. As most of their diet includes rodents, rabbits, squirrels, insects, and birds.They help to keep the rodent population under control. Their strong sense of smell and our easily accessible backyards is what attracts them to urban environments.

In order to reduce the number of coyotes in our area, we must do our part in eliminating coyote attractants.

DETERRENTS

• Coyotes do not like loud and sudden sounds, such as banging of pots and pans, whistles, alarms, and deep sounding shouts.This will also alert neighbors.
• Throw small rocks, sticks, water, or anything laying around that will scare them off.
• Those negative reinforcements, or "hazing", will move them out of the area and discourage undesirable activity.
• Some scents they dislike are vinegar, perfumes, and chili/cayenne pepper.

PREVENTION

DO:

• Teach children not to approach any stray animals.
• Walk your dog with a leash on at all times.
• Close off crawl spaces under porches, decks, and sheds so that coyotes don't have access.
• Trim ground-level shrubbery to reduce hiding places.
• Have motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
• Share this information with neighbors.

DON'T:

• Leave small pets or children unattended in the backyard.
• Keep pets outdoors at night.
• Allow pets to roam unattended.
• Approach or tame them.
• Walk your pet during sunset or at nigh, when coyotes are most active
• Attempt to feed wildlife. It is illegal to feed predatory animal in the state of California.

These preventative measures can save lies and will encourage coyotes to leave.

TIPS ON SECURING FOOD AND TRASH

Allowing coyotes access to human food and garbage is not safe and can be deadly.

• Keep garbage cans tightly secured in a location where it can not be easily tipped over.
• Remove all pet food and water bowls, including any other sources of water.
• Avoid bird feeders since they attract rodents and other coyote prey.
• Pick up any fallen or low hanging fruit.
• Protect vegetable gardens with fences or greenhouse.

If coyotes are given access to food and garbage, they lose caution and fear. They will continue to harass and threaten human safety in our neighborhoods.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE A COYOTE...

Approaching me/others

• Wave your arms, clap your hands, and be as big and loud as possible. Shout in a low, loud tone. Do not run and slowly walk backwards so you do not turn your back to them.

Approaching a child

• Have them slowly move away to another person or entrance of a shelter.

Approaching a pet

• Pick up your pet and start hazing. If the coyote does not leave, continue hazing and slowing walk backwards into an indoor area if possible.

In my backyard

• Make sure pets and children are secure and there are no food attractants nearby. Also, alert any neighbors of their presence.

Be sure to report any aggressive behavior to local police or animal control officer.

REPORT SIGHTINGS & ATTACKS

Submit A Wildlife Incident Report at https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir/incident/create

For more information, please visit: laanimalservices.com/coyotes/

Important Numbers

• Los Angeles County Animal Control - (310) 523-9566
• Hawthorne Animal Control - (310) 349-2948
• Hawthorne Police Department - (310) 349-2700

If a coyote is acting aggressively or attacking a person, immediately call 9-1-1

A pdf file,  Coyote Information Guide is available to download for your review