Rise in Coyote Attacks on Toddlers

[Bob W]

Yeah Shecky, I never pass up an opportunity to become hysterical.

Coyote attacks on people are extremely rare. There have been a small number of attacks on people in the U.S. and Canada, with most of the attacks involving small children under 5 years of age. Since 3 million children are bitten by dogs every year, your small child is millions of times more likely to get hurt by the family pet than by a coyote.

The last, and only, person ever killed by a coyote was in California over a quarter-century ago. Better hide the women and children! LOL

 

[Pilot1]

I wouldn't trust so much to fate. We had a thread here a while back (could've been in PracTac) where a story was relayed about how coyotes can take on German Shephards. They'll just go one or two at a time until the big dog is warn out then all go in for the kill.

I doubt the coyotes can get in my backyard due to the 4 foot high fence, but you're right. I usually don't leave him outside unattended at night. He's really the kind of dog that would rather be with me or other family members than outside alone. Any dog versus a pack of coyotes is in danger.

As far as shooting them. I don't, as I only shoot what I eat and I don't eat dog, so.... They only reason I'd shoot one if it attacked my family, me or my dog. Some hunters I know shoot them on sight as they do reduce the deer population.

 

[go2ndAmend]

Last summer my 80 Lb. female black lab went into some brush chasing a rabbit. Next thing I knew there was a yelp and my lab came out of that brush at full throttle with a coyote right behind her. Luckily I got a shot off, missed, but spooked the coyote. That coyote was 1/2 the size of my lab, but I do believe it would have killed her given the chance.

 

[sixgunner455]

I doubt the coyotes can get in my backyard due to the 4 foot high fence

4 feet is not a very tall fence to a predator that wants to get over it. Or under it, if your fence isn't hardened against tunneling. I've seen a Fox Terrier go over a 6 foot solid fence, several times, though she had to scramble over the top. My Brittany has jumped higher than that, clean. Coyote who wants in that fence, will be.

 

[Blairdoc]

I've never seen a coyote to tell the truth. I think they are interesting enough but like someone else said I would shoot 1 if it came in my yard. On the dog Vs. coyote thing, I am not and will never be pro dog fighting but I responsibly own 2 American Pit Bull Terriers a 75 plus pound male (Trouble) and a 45 pound female (Mama) who both love to play with other dogs except un-neutered male's due to the fact that my male is also un-neutered. from my limited knowledge of coyotes they generally are no larger than 45 pounds? right? now pit bull's being selectively bred to be animal aggressive (NOT HUMAN AGGRESIVE!) my male would definitely fight and kill a coyote or two. Our girl dog Mama would want to play with them until she reallised their up to no good then the coyotes would have a gruesom twosome on their ass but of course they would be in trouble with the rest of the pack.... but like I said I am a responsible dog owner and would never let this happen unless I saw 1 dragging a kid away or something like that then I would sic Trouble on that wiley coyote and the coyote would be F*%$ed. my girl friend and I watch our dogs jump over 4 feet easily so still watch out cause a coyote could proabably jump into and out of a yard with a 4 foot fence easily.

As most people are saying don't give dangerous wildlife a reason to come by you your family your dog ect.. by leaving out food of any sort! feed your cat or dog inside get some good garbage can's and if you have too many coyotes in your community by all means go and thin out the population seems like common sense to me.

PS- I was going through an intersection on a green light in my jeep when I got slammed in my drivers side rear quater panel by a taxi who ran a red flipping my truck on it's side with Mama (the girl dog) and myself inside. now if whoever said they wanted no seatbelts and steel dashboard's was in my situation I think he would think differently. I was more than happy to be wearing mine and to tell the truth I wish the taxi driver was wearing his maybe he would of saved himself a few broken bones even though he Stupidly ran a red light totaling my 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited !!!!!!!!!

 

[longbow50]

I have some on my property. 2 less than last year though.
I have also taught my 6 and 3 year olds how to stay safe while out and about, but they are under a watchful eye as well.

What are the primary points of safety that you taught your children?

The first thing my dad taught me when taking kids into the wilds is to keep a watchful eye on the area around you and to keep the children with you at all times. The adults not doing this is why attacks on small children are up. If the yotes don't have access, they don't get the kids and when people strap their kids to their backs, or let them straggle along behind them on a nature walk, they may as well just make offerings out of them.

 

[longbow50]

Shoot them ALL!! End of Thread.

Shooting them all isn't possible. I remember being told that at one time, California had a $30.00 bounty on them and lots of people took advantage of it. The populations in the state fluctuated some, but the killings didn't really have much of an impact on the total number of yotes. Seems that they just start having more pups per birth to keep their numbers up and when man, in his infinite wisdom, or lack thereof, killed off the wolves, he left a huge gap in the balance of predator to prey and the coyotes just started spreading out their range area into states that previously didn't have them.

I figure that if there are only two life forms left on the planet, one of them will be the coyote.

 

[mymindisamob]

What are the primary points of safety that you taught your children?

The first thing my dad taught me when taking kids into the wilds is to keep a watchful eye on the area around you and to keep the children with you at all times. The adults not doing this is why attacks on small children are up. If the yotes don't have access, they don't get the kids and when people strap their kids to their backs, or let them straggle along behind them on a nature walk, they may as well just make offerings out of them.

If in the wild they are not out of hands reach and eyes view. They are learning to be quiet and watchful, and to recognize sign.

If in the yard, they have safe areas to play within immediate view and quick reach. They are learning how to act with wildlife as well as domestics, and how to react in different encounters.

The methods I use for my children have been successful in my older boys learning well. One has traveled extensively in Alaska and Mexico on his own, the other is now graduating into the USCG Counter-Terrorism program. He has spent much of his leisure time in the outdoors up here in Washington, Alaska and Michigan. They both have had different encounters with wildlife and handled them accordingly.

 

[CanDo]

I doubt the coyotes can get in my backyard due to the 4 foot high fence, but you're right.

Don't underestimate them. I have a Golden Retriever for whom a 4ft fence is no problem.

 

[bikermikearchery]

http://www.varmintal.com/attac.htm

http://www.coyotebytes.org/

http://cbs2.com/pets/Coyote.Lake.Arrowhead.2.718556.html

From 1970 to 2001 there were between 89 and 100 coyote attacks depending on witch source is trying to down play the information. From 1991 to 2001 there were at least 70 coyote attacks on humans. 38 of those attacks were on adults. Mostly woman ether walking there dog or defending there children. It is not even news worthy out here to report when a coyote attacks a pet. Happens every day. There not a super predator there just a pest. I have observed the weight in of at least a hundred culled coyotes and not one was over 55 pounds. With 38 being the average weight. Never seen one jump a fence, but I have watched them climb a 6' fence many times. Many dog kill coyotes every day. I have a dog related business. I have a customer with a standard poodle that gets a coyote weekly. My good friends Great Perinee has shredded 4 coyotes in a single night.

 

[Pilot1]

Don't underestimate them. I have a Golden Retriever for whom a 4ft fence is no problem.

Oh my Shorthair could jump the fence if he wanted to, so I'm sure a Coyote could also. I've seen him jump brush out hunting that's higher than that. He's not left outside unattended at night, and the Yotes seem to be wary of coming in the yard, especially with him there. Not many cats in the neighborhood though.

 

[nemoaz]

See coyote. Shoot coyote. It's simple.

My kids and property aren't going to be sacrificed so some granola crunching envirofreak on one of the coasts can feel good about wildlife.