Coyotes in Town, What You Need to Know

Patch File Photo

A quick look at social media, or talking to your neighbor and you know coyotes are in the area. They’ve always been, but with more construction happening around town they are more noticeable. Lately residents are seeing them not just individually, but in packs.

Wilmington, like almost every town in the area has lots of coyotes, according to Wilmington Animal Control Officer Ellen Sawyer. And unless they are sick they do have to leave them be.

Sawyer says the more construction happening in towns forces the coyotes to lose their living areas so they are quite adept at living close to people - which is why it’s not a big deal for them when you see them in your yard or on your street. Coyotes, Sawyer says, are very adaptable animals so we need to get used to living with them, while also protecting pets from being exposed to coyotes.

Here are some tips for homeowners and pet owners alike:

• Do not feed birds as they will eat bird seeds.
• Do not feed pets outdoors.
• Clean up any brush piles that you have in your yard.
• Put out your trash on the morning of your trash pickup day.
• Do not let cats outside
• If you have a small dog do not leave it out unattended.