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Santa Clarita residents are expected to see more coyotes than usual, with the possibility of conflict during the spring.
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Santa Clarita residents are expected to see more coyotes than usual, with the possibility of conflict during the spring.
During the first season of the year, coyotes are beginning to regroup. Older pups are moving out of the den, and newborn pups are taking over.
The older pups are now looking for their own territory, which could be in a public park, along trails, or even in your own backyard, according to Placerita Canyon Nature Center park supervisor Frank Hoffman.
During the spring, more sightings are probable, as well as interactions with dogs, and following of people walking or cycling through parks and trails.
“It’s important that people understand a couple of the rules of living on an urban edge,” said Hoffman.
Coyotes become more active and protective of their den sites and their levels of activity and protectiveness rise as the pups begin to venture out in early summer, according to the Urban Coyote Initiative.
During a coyote attack in Stevenson Ranch, a twelve year-old boy attempted to save a small dog from the jaws of the wild animal. However, the incident resulted in both the death of the dog and the boy being bit in the face and groin by the coyote.
In Feb. 2017, a coyote attacked and killed three dogs in the backyard of a Valencia-area home.
When coyotes are given access to human food and garbage, their behavior changes, lose caution and lose fear, but they are fearful of humans by nature, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“Make sure that you never feed wild animals. A fed animal is a dead animal,” said Hoffman. “It’s against the law to feed wild animals.”
Residents, especially parents and pet owners, are advised to learn how to coexist with their four-legged neighbors.
Here are some tips from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on how to be proactive and responsible among wildlife.
What you need to know to live amongst wildlife:
- Put garbage in tightly closed containers that can’t be tipped over.
- Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
- Bring pets in at night, and do not leave pet food outside.
- Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, etc.
- Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
- Don’t leave children or pets unattended.
- Walk pets on a short leash.
- If followed, make loud noises or throw rocks into their direction.
- Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
- Ask your neighbors to follow these tips.
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Hi, I just saw a coyote crossing the street. It went down LaMadrid and made a right on Plum Canyon. It stayed up close to the fence behind the homes. This is too close to humans… careful out there!
I saw a coyote this morning on The street this morning at 9:30 9/19 . On Aldbury st . Was walking my little dog . Thank god he didn’t see me. I grabed my Dog went straight home.
On the evening of 10/15/18, a coyote attacked my Dad’s Chihuahua-Terrier mix in his backyard. The dog’s collar and partial remains were located on a private road adjacent to my Dad’s property. Coyotes have been observed in Canyon Country on or around: Lakehurst Ave, Oakgale Ave and Calypso Ln. They have also been observed in the Plum Canyon area on or around the Dorothy St./ Golden Valley Rd area.
I know we live in an area with coyotes and other mammalian predatory animals and a small pet will be prey to them. Keep an eye on your small pet babies.
An extremely large coyote attacked and kidnapped my Yorkie on Saturday morning 09/29 right before 8am in my backyard in West Creek as I stood 8-10 feet away. There was nothing I could do. Be sure to keep your pets on leashes and very close to you even in your own backyard.
Out shih-tzu was attacked and killed by a coyote on 11/7/18 at around 10:30 pm, in our backyard. We live in Saugus area by Copperhill and Agajanian. Our fence is concrete. They can jump even up to 10 feet high. We didn’t see the coyote. it must have ran away when my daughter went out to look for our dog. It already opened up our dog’s stomach and started eating it. Watch out, never leave your small pets, even for a few minutes.
I have two small dogs and one of them was eate by cayotees on the evening of Wednesday January 16th, 2019. The next day a group of them came back for the other dog after I let it out. Good thing I followed the dog outside and after they saw me they retreated. Several sightings of cayotees have been encountered on Golden Valley Road.
I have a chihuahua and we live in a condo in Canyon Country. I used to take her out every night before bed until I came face to face with a large coyote, on May 16th, 2021. did not look like a pup to me as they say the adult coyotes stay close to their den. We always had rabbits running around but not anymore, not one! I keep the doggie pad out in the closed patio and by the front door, she can go there. I’ve never felt that scared, the chill in my body, I grabbed my dog and jumped inside.