What To Do If You Spot A Coyote In Strongsville

STRONGSVILLE, OH — Coyote mating season is in full swing and Strongsville residents have reported seeing several of the animals roaming through backyards.

Coyotes are especially active during this time and residents should take precautions to protect their pets. Strongsville Animal Control Officer Chuck McCleary compiled information on how to identify coyotes and how to drive them away.

Coyotes tend to be gray in appearance and have bushy black-tipped tails. Coyotes sometimes come in different colors, but will always have black-tipped tails. They are slender animals and are built like medium-sized dogs, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said.

Ohioans sometimes confuse coyotes with wolves, but there are no wild wolves in the Buckeye State.

Coyotes have been known to attack outdoor cats or even smaller dogs, though the latter attack is rare. Coyotes are most active at night, according to ODNR. They tend to hunt in pairs or groups.

"If you see a coyote, make loud noises and scare it off. Deter the coyote whenever it is spotted, and do not leave your pets out unattended and for long periods of times. If you have outdoor cats (you shouldn’t) bring them in. Break up the times you let your pets out because coyotes can actually schedule your animal’s activities if they are routine," McCleary said on the Strongsville website.

McCleary's full list of tips has been shared on the city's website.