A Conversation About Coyotes

Town will present “Achieving Coexistence With Coyotes” at the Saugus Public Library on Tuesday night

  (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a press release the Town of Saugus issued this week.)

The Town of Saugus, Town Manager Scott Crabtree and Saugus Animal Control are pleased to present “Achieving Coexistence With Coyotes” on Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 6-7:45 p.m. at the Saugus Public Library (295 Central St.). Dan Prouix, a Problem Animal Control Agent in Massachusetts with many years of experience in wildlife rehabilitation and animal control, will offer tips on how to deal with the growing coyote population that calls Saugus home. The presentation will be free and open to the public.

Prouix will discuss coyote habitat and behavior, how to avoid conflicts between household pets and coyotes and what to do and who to call if you experience problems with coyotes or come across a sick or injured one. The overall goal of this program is to promote safe community coexistence with the local coyote population as well as to identify the benefits of having coyotes in the community.

Seating will be limited and registration will be required. Registration is open and those interested can go to www.sauguspubliclibrary.org, click on the “Events” or “Upcoming Events” links on the library’s website, navigate to the event date and info, click on “Register” and register for the presentation.

Saugus Canine Control Officer Darren McCullough has seen Prouix share his extensive knowledge about coyotes and thinks Saugonians will find the information helpful considering the large number of coyotes living in town. “It’s important to educate residents about coyotes and the steps that can be taken to avoid unwanted conflicts with these animals,” McCullough said. “I think this presentation will be very beneficial for those who attend.”

During his four years as the town’s canine control officer, McCullough has received coyote-related calls from all over Saugus. Numerous cats have gone missing, with many suspected falling victim to coyotes. He’s dealt with coyotes snatching small dogs in front of their owners and has come across aggressive coyotes that even follow people. Coyote complaints have actually dipped a bit this year, which McCullough attributes in part to mange – a contagious skin disease caused by mites – taking a toll on the coyote population in Saugus.

If you encounter a coyote that doesn’t run away and lurks nearby, McCullough recommended blasting an air horn or banging pots and pans together to encourage the animal to leave the area. The spray of a water hose or tossing projectiles, such as a ball or sticks, can also work well.

McCullough emphasized the importance of NEVER intentionally feeding coyotes, which can condition the animals to living among people and desensitize their natural fear of humans. Another precaution, McCullough said, is to leash pets when outdoors or at least keep a close eye on them.

Saugus residents with a coyote problem or concern should call McCullough at 781-231-4176.

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife shared the following frequently asked questions about coyotes:

  Where do coyotes live? Coyotes can be found in nearly every town and city in Massachusetts. They are adaptable to a wide range of habitats, including suburban, urban and rural areas.

  What should I do if I see a coyote? If you encounter a coyote in your backyard or neighborhood, you can help reinforce a coyote’s natural fear of humans by using hazing techniques. Let the coyote know that it is not welcome by making loud noises like blasting an air horn, spraying it with a hose or tossing small objects near it and physically chasing it away. The goal is to scare the animal away, not hurt it. Children should calmly leave the area (do not run) and find an adult to haze the coyote. Never attempt to touch, tame or feed a wild animal.

  Is it normal to see a coyote during the day? Yes. Coyotes primarily travel between dusk and dawn, but coyotes can be active 24 hours a day. Coyotes are seen more during the daytime in the spring and summer as they are giving birth and raising their young. They are more active and may be seen more often as they search for food to feed their pups. Daytime activity is normal behavior and does not mean the animal is rabid.

While coyotes can contract rabies, it is not frequently documented. A coyote exhibiting signs of rabies may display a lack of coordination, circling, paralysis, excessive salivation, self-mutilation or aggressive behavior toward other animals and/or inanimate objects. Any coyote

exhibiting these clinical signs should be reported immediately to the local Animal Control Officer and/or Police Department.

  What do coyotes eat? Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will feed on whatever is most readily available and easy to obtain. Their primary natural foods include fruit, berries, small rodents, rabbits, birds, snakes, frogs and insects. They will scavenge on animal remains, including roadkill, and will readily consume garbage, compost, fruit and vegetable crops and pet food left outdoors. Coyotes will consume birdseed and will prey on birds and small mammals attracted to bird feeders. Coyotes may prey upon unleashed pets, including outdoor house cats and unsupervised domestic dogs, as well as free-ranging livestock, such as backyard chickens. Because coyotes eat so many different foods, they have adapted to live in a variety of habitats, including heavily populated areas.

  How can I effectively prevent conflicts between coyotes and people? There are several simple steps you can take to minimize your chance of experiencing wildlife conflict:

• Remove and secure all food sources from around homes and businesses
• Remove food and habitat sources for small animals like rodents (brush and wood piles, spilled bird seed, pet food and water sources)
• Never intentionally feed a wild animal
• Keep trash securely contained or indoors
• Supervise young children when they are playing outside
• Aggressively haze coyotes any time they are encountered
• Additional strategies:
• Install fencing (six feet high and one foot below ground or with a skirt a few feet in length staked to the ground)
• Use motion-sensitive outdoor lighting or sprinklers
• Close off crawl spaces under decks, porches and sheds

  How can I protect my pets or livestock from coyotes? You can protect your pets from coyotes by:

• Feeding pets inside or supervising outdoor feedings and keeping the area clean
• Supervising pets while outdoors, including having them under your control on a leash
• Keeping pets up to date on vaccinations
• Securing hobby livestock, chickens, etc. in well-built pens

  What is the chance of a person being attacked by a coyote? The chance of being attacked by a coyote is extremely low. The majority of bites of humans can be directly attributed to intentional feeding of coyotes by people. You have a far greater chance of being seriously bitten by a domestic dog or hit by a car than being attacked by a coyote.

  Who should I contact if I’m concerned about coyotes? Like all wildlife in Massachusetts, coyotes are under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The mere presence of a coyote in an area is not cause for concern, and coyotes taking pets are not considered an immediate threat to human safety. If you are concerned about coyotes exhibiting very bold or aggressive behaviors, you can call your local Police Department or the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1‐800‐632‐8075.

   Is the coyote population growing in Massachusetts? The eastern coyote population is well-established across mainland Massachusetts. An increase in sightings does not necessarily mean that the coyote population is growing.

Coyotes are territorial animals that actively defend their territory from other coyotes. Each territory has a resident family unit. This family unit consists of the mated pair (alpha male and female), possibly one or two “teenage” coyotes (associate or helpers) and during the spring and summer, a litter of two to 12 pups (more typically two to six). Coyotes can travel between two and 30 square miles while patrolling their territory. A single coyote traveling through their territory may be reported several times, which may lead people to believe that there are more coyotes than there really are. Additionally, coyotes change their activity patterns and territory usage throughout the year and year-to-year, so a change in sightings can simply reflect that change in behavior.