The Agricultural Commissioner stresses the importance of “keeping wild animals wild.” By taking some simple steps around their homes, residents will help keep wild animals such as coyotes from becoming dependent on human beings.

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• Never leave small children unattended in areas where coyotes are known to be, even in your yard. 
• Keep small pets indoors. Some coyotes hunt cats in residential areas. Keep pet food indoors, or promptly remove dishes when pets complete their meal outside.  
• Clear brush and dense weeds from around your property. This deprives rodents of shelter, and reduces cover for coyotes who search for rodents for food. 
• Maintain trash cans with secure lids that will not open if tipped over by large animals. Do not leave filled plastic trash bags out at night. Try to avoid putting out your trash the night before pick-up. Put trash out in the morning to prevent coyotes from scavenging during the evening. 
• Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles; put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
• Do not feed or provide water for coyotes or other wild life. It is against the law to feed coyotes. (County Code: Section 10.84.010) 

If you have taken precautions and are still experiencing coyote problems, contact your city offices, or, if you’re in an unincorporated community within Los Angeles County, contact the Agricultural Commissioner at 626-575-5462.

Most coyotes avoid people rather than approach people. The Agricultural Commissioner responds to situations involving aggressive coyotes who pose a potential threat to humans. If a coyote or other wild animal is threatening or attacking a human, immediately call 9-1-1.

We appreciate the efforts of area residents to maintain their own property so as to not attract wildlife or encourage wildlife to depend on hand-outs from humans. This protects humans and domestic animals. It is important for the ecosystem to keep coyotes wild, rather than encouraging them to be dependent on humans.