Safety Tips For Coyote Sightings In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Coyotes have learned to survive, and often thrive, in urban and residential areas, so they may be spotted in your neighborhood in San Diego County.

The county's Department of Animal Services has offered tips to keep them away and help keep you, your family and pets safe.

First, all food sources should be removed from outside your home. That includes fallen fruit from trees, pet food and water, and unsecured trash cans in the backyard.

To prevent coyotes from getting into your backyard, you can use a "coyote roller," a metal tube placed on top of your fence. The tube will spin and prevent any traction when a coyote tries to climb over the fence.

If you see a coyote in your path, you should use a'hazing" techniques, according to the Department of Animal Services. Hazing scares coyotes away by making the animal afraid of people and not wanting to return to your neighborhood. Here's what you do:

• Stop and yell at it to go away.
• Make yourself look big and scary by waving your arms above your head.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Stomp your feet and make loud noise.
• Always maintain a safe distance.

Continue to do this until the coyote leaves the area and is out of sight, according to the Department of Animal Services. If the coyote continues to hang around, take a couple steps forward, stop and yell again.

The county will respond when a wild animal is an immediate threat to people or other animals. The county will also respond when an animal is sick or injured, too young to survive on its own, or trapped. Additionally, the county will respond if the wild animal is a rabies agent and has attacked you or your pet.

The county will not respond to reports of wildlife being loose or simply roaming.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, coyotes are by nature fearful of humans. They play an important role in the ecosystem and help keep rodent populations under control.