On the Prowl : Coyotes Are Becoming Bolder in Contacts With Humans

In just the past week, one coyote leaped from a bush in Fullerton and bit a 3-year-old girl in the face. Another sauntered through an open door into a Mission Viejo living room and crouched threateningly until authorities arrived.

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What is this, the invasion of the wild things?

In a way it is, according to Orange County animal control officials.

They are fielding as many as 100 calls a week from people encountering coyotes. And while attacks on children are still relatively rare, they say, intrusions into homes are becoming more frequent as the animals, which used to be timid and afraid, have grown increasingly brazen.

“We’re not getting any more calls, but the nature of the calls is changing,” Lt. Marie Hulett, a spokeswoman for Orange County Animal Control, said Monday.

Coyotes, she said, “are becoming more comfortable living with people. They consider humans beneficial to hang around. They’re becoming relaxed hunting in an environment in which they feel comfortable.”

The solution, Hulett said, is don’t get cozy with coyotes.

David and Debbie Dimmick didn’t think that’s what they were doing last week as they stood watching their 3-year-old daughter, Jennifer, playing near their Fullerton house with a group of other children. When the girl drifted away from the group to a bush near the driveway, however, a coyote jumped out and bit her, causing injuries that required stitches, bandages and rabies shots.

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And Gregg Kawczynski got the shock of his life Sunday afternoon after discovering a coyote in his Mission Viejo living room.

“My first concern was for the kids,” said Kawczynski, whose two sons--one an infant, the other age 7--were in the house at the time but escaped the intruder’s notice. “I’ve occasionally seen coyotes walking on the street at night, but I was surprised to see one this close in the daytime.”

According to Hulett, such coyote behavior is not intended to be aggressive. Instead, she said, it is part of the way in which the animals have adapted to the increasing presence of humans in their lives as modern development has gradually encroached on natural habitat.

“People rarely get attacked,” Hulett said. “Coyotes are not aggressive toward people, but they cannot differentiate small children from animals.”

Because they’ve learned that people usually harbor food, she said, many coyotes have become more brazen in their hunting habits, confidently showing up at all times of the day or night.

“They adapt and change and teach their pups,” she said. “When people used to see coyotes, the animals would run away. Now they trot on by and aren’t concerned that people are around.”

None of this need be cause for alarm, Hulett said.

“They’re not dangerous animals. They’re just like dogs, but wild. As long as we use common sense and follow simple safety precautions, we can all coexist.”

Among Hulett’s recommended precautions: Never leave a child or small pet outside unattended and, upon encountering a coyote, make it feel as unwelcome as possible by yelling, throwing rocks and squirting it with a hose.

To which Kawczynski adds a rule of his own.

“There will be no more open doors in this house,” he announced Monday. “Once is enough--you get lucky only one time.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Coyote Commotion

The coyote, Canis latrans, is one of nature’s most resourceful predators. Although a coyote will not normally attack adults, knowing something about the animal, its habits and abilities, can help protect children and pets: *

Coyote Profile

Size: 32-40 inches long with 12- to 15-inch bushy tail; about 24 inches tall at the shoulder; weighs 30-50 pounds

Markings: Gray on back, reddish-tan flanks, yellow-brown legs, feet and ears

Diet: An opportunistic eater, taking whatever is available, including rodents, fruit, insects, pet food and garbage

Habits: Mostly nocturnal, spends days in brush and enters residential areas mostly after dark. Some live full time in urban areas such as vacant lots. Have been known to mate with domestic dogs

Speed / range: Can run up to 35 m.p.h. and cover up to 10-15 miles per night

Voice: A distinctive howl, mixed with yaps at dusk or near dawn

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Coyote Deterrence * Never feed coyotes. * Cover trash bins and cans. * Do not leave pets or their food outside. * If you take your pet outside, stay with it. * Remove ripened fruit from trees and ground. * Fence yards or brushy slopes; bury bottom of fence at least 6-12 inches. * If you encounter a coyote, throw rocks, squirt with hose, yell or do anything to make it uncomfortable. * Do not leave young children unattended. * Older children should use buddy system when playing outside. * Do not leave doors open or use pet doors. *

Who to Call If a coyote is in your house, or injured, Orange County Animal Control will remove it. If it is in your yard or the street, they will offer advice on how to deal with it. Call (714) 935-6848. Sources: Encyclopedia Americana, “Peterson Field Guide to Mammals,” Orange County Animal Control