Coyotes Becoming More Visible In Suburban Houston

HOUSTON, TX — Coyotes have long been a part of the rural Texas landscape, but some rural are in Fort Bend County that are becoming more suburban have begun to see more of the predators.

Fulshear, which in recent years has been began moving toward more of a suburban community, has seen a resurrgence of coyotes with some coming out during the daylight hours, causing some to be concerned that their family pets could be attacked.

Nancy Peyton told KPRC that her dog, Penny was attacked by a coyote in her backyard in November, and have gotten bolder in recent months.

Last June, a pack of coyotes emerged within the Aberdeen Green subdivision in northwest Harris County, where they attacked and killed a small dog.

To protect your pets wildlife officials warn homeowners:

• Do not feed the coyotes
• Don't leave food outside
• Secure your garbage
• Walk with your pet in the day time and keep them on a leash

Officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department advise anyone who encounters a coyote in their neighborhood or yard to protect themselves by:

• Making noise and moving to scare the coyote
• Making yourself look big
• Use rocks, sticks, airhorns or pellet guns to scare off the predator.

While coyotes are known for hunting family pets or coming into yards where there is food, they are typically nocturnal predators.

And while Houston is an urban community, coyotes are still out there in some of the wooded and suburban areas, and are masters at concealing themselves.

Coyotes have been spotted throughout the Houston area in recent months, including Bellaire, Sugar Land, Kingwood, The Woodlands, Spring, and even downtown near the Medical Center.

Image: Shutterstock

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