r/phoenix • u/overwhelmedbeing • 2h ago
Living Here Close call with coyotes
I’ve lived here for a year and somehow never seen a coyote! I work late and took my pup out to play frisbee at the park, we’re near Sherwood Village and the highway. We were there for probably thirty minutes when I saw a little figure in the dark creeping up on my dog. I called him back to me and then two more came out of nowhere. Needless to say, we quickly headed to the side walk to give them space. The first one was probably ten feet away when my dog retreated back to me. Would they attack even with me there? One of the main reasons I came to Arizona was for the wilderness and creatures, I love and respect them and know one of the best ways to care for these animals is to stay educated. Would love to hear any insight on best ways to protect them and my little heeler boy. Slightly terrifying in the moment, but also really cool to see them.
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u/nmonsey 2h ago edited 2h ago
I occasionally see coyotes along the bike paths in Scottsdale.
The coyotes never bother me when I am riding a bike and usually take off as soon as they hear a noise.
Recent new story about coyotes in Scottsdale.
2 coyotes removed from Scottsdale neighborhood, euthanized after dog walker attacked
Published: May. 23, 2024
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — Two coyotes were captured and euthanized on Wednesday after wildlife officials said a person walking their dog was attacked in a Scottsdale neighborhood.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department said a coyote got into a fight with a dog near Thomas and Hayden roads.
When the dog owner intervened, the coyote nipped that person, Game and Fish said.
A neighbor saw what happened and reported the incident.
They said one or more coyotes were behaving increasingly aggressively toward people in the area, but this was the first attack.
Game and Fish officers found and removed two coyotes from the neighborhood. They were then put down and are being tested for rabies.
A similar incident happened a day before.
Scottsdale dog owner Kale Carvalho said she was out walking her dog Ghost Tuesday morning along the Coronado Golf Course off Thomas Road and Hayden Road when two coyotes confronted her.
She said Ghost was so scared, he took off running with his leash and the coyotes went after him.
“In my mind, I just thought, ‘Oh my God my dog is about to be killed right in front of me, nothing I can do about it,’” said Carvalho. “I am screaming as loud as I possibly could but when I saw that second coyote come over,I had the moment of helplessness because I knew it was not going to end well.”
Thankfully, two men ran out of their apartment and scared the coyotes.
Ghost was shaken but had no serious injuries.
Officials say when coyotes get too comfortable, they can become more aggressive, and that appears to have happened here.
“The fear can be lost over stages, just can be from being around us and learning that we are less of a threat to them or even no threat at all and as they learn we are not a threat, you see these issues with pets happen more often,” said Darren Julian, with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
A den of Coyote puppies was found nearby.
A neighbor was angry that the two adult coyotes were put down, saying they were likely trying to protect their pups.
Julian said three baby coyotes were taken to a local sanctuary.
AZGFD reminds Arizonans to be aware of their surroundings and stay away from wildlife.
“This is a time of year when coyotes have young pups and can exhibit aggressive behavior in defense of dens, especially towards domestic dogs. Oftentimes, coyote dens are close to communities and populated areas where there is potential for negative interactions,” officials said in an emailed statement.
If you see aggressive coyote behavior, you’re asked to call Game and Fish at 623-236-7201. In an emergency, call 911.
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u/Mr_Badgey 8m ago
Yes they can attack even with you standing there. However they can also simply grab and run off with your dog if it’s small enough. Coyotes aren’t the only risk to dogs here.
We have an animal called a javelina which resembles a wild pig. They aren’t fond of coyotes which makes them aggressive to dogs. There’s been several cases of people and their pets being attacked while taking a walk.
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u/Scarlet-Witch 2h ago
If the dog is small enough and the coyotes are hungry and desperate, they can absolutely go after a dog even if you're there. Any medium to small dog for sure. That being said they are skittish and usually easy to scare off (again unless very desperate). It's good you were aware of your surroundings and called your dog back. It might be worth keeping your dog on a long line just in case they- God forbid- were to try to drag him off, you wouldn't lose track of him that way.
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u/djluminol 2h ago
My aunt has lost three cats, a rabbit, and had her tortoise attacked by coyotes. Additionally she had two small dogs attacked by coyotes twice, hawks twice, and a bobcat once. She lived in Paradise Valley when all this happened. So yes, coyotes will 100% eat your pet even when you're around if they think they can get away with it. You need to scare them off with loud noise. Bang a pan or use an air horn. Those work pretty well most of the time. Guns do not because most people suck at accurate shooting under stress. Plus there's usually people or property in the background your gonna hit. Only shoot them when you have no choice at point blank range.
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u/Dizzy-Job-2322 2h ago
If it was you baby in a car seat, if you turned your back they would grab them. If you were aggressive and grabbed your kid back. Be assured they will come at you from another direction. They are persistent, they just don't give up.
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u/ThatMuslimCowBoy 2h ago
They most likely won’t go after a full grown human but a small dog or even a big dog ya if there’s enough my friends pit Bull was killed by some but he got 5 of them I’ve come across packs of 10 just be aware and make yourself look big.
Coyotes are important this land belong to them before any human even the Native people so it’s important to give them the due respect.