One early morning a few years ago, Edmonds resident Maggie Peterson asked her 25-pound Boston Terrier to hang out in the fenced backyard of her home so she could be free. Starting a new day is their normal routine, but this situation is about to change.

"She came back, I drank coffee, I was sitting there reading the newspaper, I saw my eyes were moving, I looked out, through our back deck, just like outside our door, it is a piece of soil. Wolf-I can't believe it," Peterson said. She quickly told her husband, she reported that he was initially skeptical, until he looked back and saw it wandering in the backyard.

Peterson contacted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to let them know about the sighting and said she was surprised to find that coyotes are common throughout the region.

The Puget Sound area is famous for its numerous trees, beaches, parks and natural beauty. Live with wild animals and various local habitats and wilderness areas throughout the territory. Coyotes are one of the wild animals that can come into contact with domestic pets and people in an urban environment.

At first glance, they may resemble German Shepherds, but coyotes are predators and feed on small animals such as rodents, rabbits, and birds, but they can also include cats and even small and medium-sized dogs.

The characteristic of coyotes is that their tails are shorter and bushier, almost dragging to the ground. This species is closely related to dogs, but the coyote has a longer and narrower muzzle. Adult coyotes usually weigh 20-35 pounds, and males are slightly larger than females.

Peterson said the fish and wildlife staff she talked to advised against leaving the dog unattended around sunset or sunrise, because that's when coyotes are usually most active. "We are actually doing much more than that," she said. She bought a coyote vest for the two dogs she had at the time-Butch and Lucky-and added "It's funny (seems), but it has spikes around its throat and back." Every time When the dogs enter the backyard, they all wear vests. (Butch has passed away, but luckily continues to wear the vest.)

Although the Peterson’s yard was completely surrounded by a nearly 5-foot-high fence, she said she knew that on at least two different occasions, a coyote had crossed the fence. In addition, a neighbor with a doorbell camera will now notify her "every time he sees a coyote crossing our driveway on his front porch," she added, "this happens often."

The State Department of Fish and Wildlife pointed out that coyotes live in a wide geographic range. “In Washington, these smart and adaptable animals now manage to occupy almost every imaginable type of habitat, from open pasture countries to dense In the forested area of ​​the city, to the waterfront in the city center. Although human encroachment and past efforts to eliminate coyotes have continued to increase, the number of this species has remained the same and is increasing in some areas."

In the fall and winter, when the young wolves begin to search for new territory, the coyotes usually become more visible, and the cover provided by vegetation becomes less dense. There are also fewer natural food resources available, which can lead to conflicts and behavior changes.

"In the fall, sub-adult coyotes are kicked out of their families for the first time and have to make a living on their own. This may cause inexperienced young coyotes to get into trouble, such as eating garbage or cats," Snohomish , Islands and WDFW wildlife biologist in San Juan County Matt Hammer said. "If coyotes are under metabolic stress, they may be more likely to target cats and small dogs in winter. Coyotes also breed in late winter. During this period, they become more territorial and may be more aggressive ."

Coyotes are naturally wary of people. But often, especially in urban areas, people’s habits may inadvertently bring coyotes into the human environment and their property, which ultimately leads to conflicts and poses risks to pets.

"Many landowners and pet owners don't know that some of their behavior may attract coyotes," Hammer said.

Although coyotes do not usually attack people, research on reported incidents shows that human behavior is the cause of the problem. These include deliberately offering them alms, or inadvertently allowing them to obtain unsafe food sources such as garbage, pet food or livestock carcasses. Providing coyotes with food will cause them to lose their natural fear of humans, and even increase aggressive behavior when they become dependent on simple food sources.

"People should never feed or approach coyotes," Hammer said. "Feeding is the main cause of harm caused by coyotes."

Coyotes that are accustomed to relying on human-provided food sources will in turn become unpredictable and bring higher safety risks. According to WDFW, “Once a coyote stops hunting on its own and loses its fear of people, it becomes dangerous and may attack without warning.”

Prevention is the key to reducing conflicts with coyotes. Hamer said that people can take some effective measures to reduce the risk of pets and reduce the attractiveness of their properties to coyotes.

"Some simple but very important actions include never feeding coyotes; keeping clean property, free of rubbish, discarded fruits-such as (fallen) apples-and easily available compost; feeding pets indoors and removing outdoor pets Food; never feed or attract wild cats; bury the carcasses of livestock; and properly protect poultry and livestock."

Trash cans and compost containers should have tightly fastened lids. In some cases, additional measures may be required to prevent wild animals from dumping them and touching the contents. Similar to not leaving unsafe pet food outside, bird feeders can also attract rodents and thus lure coyotes to places where they might also prey on pets. Therefore, it is recommended that people keep the area under and around the bird feeder clean and free of food accumulation.

Although coyotes do not usually attack humans, people should not leave children unattended in areas where coyotes are often seen or heard. If you encounter a coyote, pick up children and/or pets immediately. When a coyote does approach, WDFW advises people not to run away or turn around, but to "as large, mean and loud as possible", by shouting or applauding to scare away the animal and remind others of its presence nearby.

Other tips and preventive measures recommended by the department include:

– Keep dogs and cats indoors or in a safe area, especially from dusk to dawn, when pets can easily become prey of coyotes.

– Modify the landscape around the children’s play area, such as pruning shrubs and trees a few feet above the ground so that the coyotes cannot hide in them.

– When the number of sightings increases, place deterrents such as brooms, hockey sticks, or even a pile of rocks nearby.

– Build an anti-coyote fence to prevent animals from crawling over or digging under the fence.

– Keep poultry in safe enclosures and chicken coops.

– During periods of vulnerability, including from dusk to dawn and the delivery season, keep livestock and small animals living outdoors in safe enclosures.

Although coyotes may look like dogs, it is important to remember that they are wild animals and need to be treated like dogs. They are an integral part of a healthy ecosystem and also help control rodent populations.

"Coyotes are almost universal in western Washington, with a few exceptions-they don't appear in the San Juan Islands," Hammer said. "It is fair to say that the population of coyotes in the Puget Sound area is strong," and "as people develop and migrate to the suburbs on the edge of the wasteland-urban junction, the risk of small pets being attacked may increase."

Maggie Peterson said that when she called her backyard to witness, she was told that the coyote probably smelled an animal (her dog) nearby. "Come for breakfast. We feel very Fortunately, because she was alone in the yard, the coyote did not run faster," Peterson said, or "he would catch her." She said she later learned that someone nearby was lost because of a coyote attack. Their Boston Terrier.

Mountlake Terrace animal control officer Elena McKee said there are few local complaints about coyotes. "Last summer, I had a dog attacked in the backyard," she said, adding that "most of the calls or comments I heard were sightings."

McGee said she knows that coyotes have nests in the wooded areas of local parks and green belts, and they often shuttle in these places. She pointed out that they are usually curious and observe people.

"As far as safety is concerned, don't approach or feed them," "Bring pets indoors at night," she added. "The biggest danger I have seen is that outdoor cats can easily become prey."

Linwood Community Health and Safety Sergeant. Justin Gann said: "We do have some coyote calls in this city," he estimated, "there may be about a dozen calls throughout the year." He added that many people mistake them for phone calls. Wolf, and added, "We don't have wolves here, they are just little coyotes."

Gann said, as far as he knows, “the only reason people call to talk about coyotes is because they just saw them. They usually do nothing but run into the woods or walk through somewhere. I haven’t heard of it yet. Any personal pets have been attacked in the city."

However, to ensure the safety of pets, he recommends that people keep smaller dogs on leashes, noting that “it might not be wise to let them run into dense forests,” he said.

Peterson said that when her family let their remaining dog Lucky in the yard, the change in habits gave her peace of mind. This dog always wears his coyote vest or on a leash. "He never went out in the yard by himself, which is so sad because we have such a beautiful fenced yard," she said.

"That coyote appeared in our yard after our dog (Butch), it really just changed the way we get along with them-the scariest thing I can think of is to let your dog be on your own Was killed by a coyote in the yard," Peterson added. But now "we just solved this problem", "so I'm really not too worried", when the family receives a notice that a coyote has been found near their home.

For more information on how to coexist with coyotes and other wild animals, please visit the WDFW and Wild Animals page here.

A former animal control official told me that Edmonds coyotes have about eight dens, and they take turns passing through these dens throughout the year. One of the dens is near us and we know if there are cubs, because they will yell when a large plane is flying low-it will definitely hurt their ears. I know that at least four cats were eaten by coyotes; if you let your cats out, it is not a problem of IF, but a problem of when they will be killed.

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