Community Encouraged to Take Steps to Avoid Coyote Conflicts

PASADENA, Calif.-Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) encourages the community to avoid coyote conflicts by taking precautions that can help protect themselves and their pets from coyotes. Coyotes are found throughout City neighborhoods and live among Pasadena natural resources, homes, and businesses.

"Coyotes are naturally fearful of people and typically go out of their way to avoid human interaction," said Acting Director of Public Health, Manuel Carmona. "When coyotes are comfortable around humans, it is a strong sign that someone nearby is intentionally or inadvertently feeding them."

Adolescent coyotes leave their dens late summer or at the start of fall, due to pack leaders forcing adolescent coyotes out of their packs. As they begin searching for their own territory or a new pack to join, the possibility of coyote activity in Pasadena neighborhoods increases.

Coyote hazing is a great way to maintain coyote's fear of humans and involves using deterrents to move coyotes out of an area or discourage coyote behaviors. Residents who work with their neighbors to establish a consistent culture of hazing will be more successful in keeping coyotes at a distance. "We all have a role to play in maintaining coyote's fear of humans and hazing is the most important action we can take to safely coexist with coyotes," said Carmona.

Follow these hazing tips when encountering a coyote to help ensure you and your family's safety:

• Make yourself appear large, stand your ground, and force the coyote to leave; never turn your back or run away from a coyote but ensure they are not cornered and always have an exit route.
• Maintain eye contact and make the coyote feel uncomfortable.
• Pick up small pets and young children off the ground, and stand your ground while facing the coyote.
• Be aggressive by making loud noises such as yelling, using an air horn or other noisemaker, clapping, or banging a pot and pan.
• Shine bright lights, spray water, open and close an umbrella, or throw tennis balls in the direction of the coyote.

"It is important to create a culture of bold and consistent hazing to prepare for the possibility of encountering coyotes when walking pets," said Director of Wildlife Education and Services of Pasadena Humane, Lauren Hamlett. "This includes always staying present and aware, leashing pets, and never placing pets in situations where they are vulnerable to wildlife interactions."

Take steps to be a more alert pet owner:

• Walk your pets on a 6-foot or shorter fixed-length leash. Retractable leashes do not provide sufficient control over pets and should be avoided.
• In the spring and summer, be on the lookout for coyotes and avoid areas where they are frequently seen, which may indicate a den site.
• Keep cats inside or consider using an enclosed outdoor patio space to help protect cats. Supervise dogs outdoors or keep them in enclosed areas.
• Remove all attractants from your property including outside pet feed, unsecured trash, messy bird feeders, and fallen fruit.
• Intentional feeding of wildlife is a crime and should be reported to Pasadena Humane for investigation (626) 792-7151 ext. 970.

Report coyote sightings or concerns to the City Service Center at the Coyote Sighting Report website or (626) 744-7311. The Pasadena Public Health Department will evaluate data to identify trends in reporting, which may indicate coyote hotspots.

For more information on coexisting with coyotes, visit the website for Pasadena Humane.

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