Pet owners beware— coyotes never give up




ON THE HUNT—Residents  are  reporting  frequent  sightings  of coyotes in their neighborhoods and backyards. The animals come out of the hills looking for food and water. Pet owners are advised not to leave their dogs and cats outdoors unsupervised.

ON THE HUNT—Residents are reporting frequent sightings of coyotes in their neighborhoods and backyards. The animals come out of the hills looking for food and water. Pet owners are advised not to leave their dogs and cats outdoors unsupervised.


For nearly nine years, Ricki, an energetic blackandtan dachshund, played outside undisturbed in the Robertson family’s fencedin backyard in Oak Park. On Sept. 18, after an evening indoors with her owners, Ricki went out to the backyard.

“I went upstairs for a couple of minutes around 10:30 p.m., and when I came down I didn’t see her. I looked in all her usual places and then went outside,” Janet Robertson said. “I didn’t hear or see her and went back inside for a flashlight—she sometimes would wander through the bushes.”

When Robertson came back out with the light she heard movement in the bushes near the fence. She pointed the flashlight and saw Ricki’s lifeless body torn and bloody. Robertson assumed it was a coyote attack.

“We always made sure Ricki was on a leash when we walked her. We had her sleep inside to keep her safe,” Robertson said. “It never occurred to us that a coyote would jump our fence. We’re on a residential street with a streetlight, cars and people going by, and we don’t back up to the open space.”

“Every family with dogs has told us they all let their dogs out in their yards as part of the nightly routine,” Robertson said. “You assume that, because you have secure fences, don’t keep out water or food which would attract animals and have your pets inside overnight, that your home and yard are safe.”

Janet and Scott Robertson and their son, Jeff, 18, are devastated by the loss of their beloved pet and want to spare others the same painful experience.

“Our fence is 6 feet tall,” Scott Robertson said. “People think a fence will protect their pets, but it won’t. Not many pets can take a coyote down.”

If a squirrel or a rat can get into a backyard, a coyote can, too, said Kathy Jenks, director of Ventura County Animal Regulation.

This time of year is especially dangerous because water in open space areas has dried up and animals are seeking water sources, said Jenks.

“The whole food chain has moved down, and it’s desperate eating time,” Jenks said. “Until the rains begin, the coyotes will be around, and the easiest dinner they can get is a dog or cat.”

Mountain lions and bears are following the food chain, too, Jenks said, so those who hike and bike the trails should be aware.

A number of Oak Park residents have seen coyotes throughout the area in recent weeks. Just across the street from the Robertsons lives the Green family. Bob Green and his son Derek were walking their 8-pound white Shih Tzu, Kira, past the Robertson house when Kira suddenly stopped. The Greens turned around to see a large coyote less than 10 feet from their dog. Bob Green quickly picked Kira up and walked up the street, the coyote following. Feeling threatened, the Greens went into a neighbor’s home. When they went back outside a short while later the coyote was gone.

“We knew coyotes were out. We see them all the time,” Bob Green said. “People are walking with whistles and sticks. ”

Now when the Greens let Kira out into their fenced-in yard they stay with her, often holding a baseball bat, just in case.

“We’ve changed our behavior to protect her,” Bob Green said. “I’d rather be cautious.”

Lara Barrett took her golden retriever, Lily, on a walk in Old Agoura early one morning. Four coyotes accosted the pair. Lily barked and Barrett threw stones, but the coyotes continued advancing. Lily and Barrett turned and ran.

“It was really scary. They just were not afraid of us at all,” Barrett said.

Normally, coyotes are not interested in people, Jenks said, but they have been known to attack humans, including including one incident in which a child was bitten near the Reagan Library in Simi Valley in 2004.

“They don’t come looking to threaten people, but if you back them into a corner they won’t back down,” Jenks said.

There are no governmental agencies or programs in Ventura County that handle coyote control or removal, Jenks said.

“Wherever people try to kill them, the coyotes go elsewhere and triple their population,” Jenks said. “They know what day is trash day, and they know who leaves food out for their pets.”

Some people have felt sorry for coyotes and have left dog food out for them, which only attracts them to neighborhoods, creates a nuisance and disturbs the balance of nature, Jenks said.

“There should be a process in place in Oak Park and other areas to report coyote or other wild animal problems so that it can be determined if the coyote population is becoming more aggressive and a significant danger to humans and pets,” Janet Robertson said.

These safety tips are offered:

•Make sure trash bins have locking lids on them.

•Do not leave pets outside unattended at any time. Keep them inside from dusk to dawn.

•Keep dogs on a leash at all times.

•Don’t leave cat or dog food outside.

•Never feed coyotes.

•Never leave young children unattended in yards or parks.

•When out on trails keep yourself noticeable, make noise, and stay in groups.

Call the local Fish and Game office at (858) 467-4201 or local law enforcement officials if coyotes approach or attack humans, attack pets, or show a general lack of fear.

For additional information call County of Ventura Animal Regulation at (805) 388-4341 or visit www.coyotebytes.org.

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