WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF...

Y

ou See a Coyote: Enjoy the beauty of these
ambassadors of nature. Simply seeing a
coyote is not a problem, especially if the coyote
keeps its distance. DO NOT offer food or
anything else to a coyote. Even if you love to see
coyotes, do not let them know it; it goes to their
heads. It is important to keep them cautious and
wary of humans. Never ignore, turn your back
on, or run from a coyote. Carry a walking stick or
noisemaker at night or during an early morning
walk, and be ready to use them. Keep your pets
next to you on a leash if they are with you.

A

Coyote Approaches You: Make eye contact.
Don’t let coyotes intimidate or scare you.
Coyote attacks on adult humans are very rare
and are not routine coyote behavior. If you are
walking a small dog, picking it up may protect
your dog, though an unusually aggressive coyote
may bite you while trying to get to your pet. You
should look and sound as big and authoritative as
possible. Scare or appear threatening to coyotes
with claps, shouts, loud noises, bright lights
and waving your arms. Do not hesitate to pick
up small objects, such as a tennis ball or a light
stone, and throw it at an approaching coyote. If a
water hose is close, spray the coyote with it. Do
not turn your back on a coyote; to get away, face
the coyote and carefully back away slowly.

A

Coyote Attacks: Call 9-1-1 if a coyote or
other wild animal is threatening or attacking
a human.

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Department of
Agricultural Commissioner/
Weights & Measures

Department of
Agricultural Commissioner /
Weights & Measures
acwm.lacounty.gov
Integrated Pest Management
(626) 575-5462
Headquarters Office
12300 Lower Azusa Road
Arcadia, CA 91006
Voice: (626) 575-5471
Fax: (626) 350-3243

COYOTES
Our Permanent Neighbors

South Gate Office
11012 Garfield Avenue
South Gate, CA 90280
Voice: (562) 622-0402
Fax: (562) 861-0278

This information is available
in alternative formats.
For further assistance:
TDD (626) 575-5520
Voice: (626) 575-5471
Fax: (626) 350-3243
October 2016

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

 A

permanent strand of the beautiful tapestry
of nature woven through many of our
Los Angeles County neighborhoods is the
highly resourceful and adaptable coyote.
Revered in time-honored legend and folklore,
coyotes are an important, ongoing presence in
our modern communities.
 
Coyotes help keep the urban ecosystem in
balance, as their primary diet consists of small
rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels. However,
coyotes aren’t finicky; they’ll eat rabbits, raccoons,
birds, insects, berries and other fruit, vegetables,
human garbage and compost, outdoor pet food,
and small, unprotected pets.
 
You may be fortunate enough to catch a
glimpse of these fascinating native mammals
while enjoying a vigorous hike on a remote
trail or when taking a relaxing stroll on a paved
suburban sidewalk.
 
Coyotes look much like dogs and are
brownish-gray with a light gray to reddish
cream-colored belly, slender muzzle, bushy tail,
and weigh anywhere from 15 to 40 pounds.
 
Coyotes are at home in a variety of habitat
types and will raise their young in brush, under
downed trees, and even in culverts. Coyotes
are monogamous and can be found as lone
individuals, pairs, or members of packs. Typically,
only the dominant pair breeds and produces one
litter per year. Breeding occurs between January
and March, with a gestation period of 62 days.
Litters range from 4-7 pups and the young will
remain with the parents, learning how to hunt,
until late summer.
 
While coyotes are most active between
dusk and dawn, they can be seen at any time of
the day. Generally shy and wary of humans, they
can also be quite curious and will often observe
human activity from what they perceive to be a

safe distance. This behavior is normal and part of
peaceful coexistence.
 
Problems may result if humans –
intentionally or not – teach coyotes to be
dependent on humans. As tempting as it can be,
it is important that humans never attempt to feed
a coyote. Coyotes have adequate food sources and
the species will survive without our help. It is also
critical for peaceful coexistence that coyotes
never learn to associate people with food.
 
Coyote attacks on humans are very rare,
but when they have happened, they have usually
involved a coyote that has become accustomed to
seeking food from humans instead of continuing
to exhibit normal, beneficial coyote behavior. In
such situations, they lose their natural meekness
and become demanding and even aggressive.
 
Humans have unintentionally taught
individual coyotes to become dependent on
humans by providing accessible garbage cans,
compost bins, outdoor pet bowls, and freeroaming pets.
 
Unattended pets are no different to a
coyote from any other animal in their territory.
Without human protection, pets may be treated
like potential prey or competition for resources.
 
Teach your children that they should
never approach coyotes or other wild animals.
Never leave your children unattended at locations
where coyotes have been known to roam. Check
your yard before letting pets outdoors, and close
and secure pet doors after dark.

C

oyotes will be less likely to dwell on your
property the more of these steps you take:

1. Keep garbage cans closed and secure; do not
leave filled plastic trash bags out at night and put
your garbage out the morning of pick-up.
2. Keep small pets indoors (especially overnight)
and keep pet food indoors or promptly remove
dishes when pets complete their meal outside.
3. Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
4. Put away bird feeders at night to avoid
attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
5. Clear brush and dense weeds from around
your property.
6. Have a wall or fence at least six feet high
around your backyard, with extenders facing
outward at the top of each post. Fences must
have secure gates. All fences should have a
galvanized wire apron buried at least 4 to 6
inches into the ground, which extends out from
the fence at least 15 to 20 inches and is securely
attached at the bottom of the fence.
7. Share this information with your neighbors.

Photo courtesy of Wayne Nelson

A listing of animal control and welfare agencies
in Los Angeles County is available on our
website:
acwm.lacounty.gov