After More Reports of Coyote Attacks, DNR Says to Supervise Pets

Small pets are falling prey to coyote attacks in metro area backyards.

This is a story that some Edina residents knows well. Natalie Ann recently told Patch readers to be aware of "fence-jumping" coyotes after her cat was killed by one last week. In 2011, Becky Bennett had just let her dog Smokey, an 18-year-old Schipperke, into the backyard of her Edina home when she heard a sharp yelp. A coyote had Smokey in its mouth and was running away with her. The coyote dropped Smokey and Bennett was able to rescue the beloved dog. 

According to CBS Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the city coyote problem stems from residents not being able to hunt and trap them, like residents can in rural areas:

“You’re not gonna be able to erect a fence or anything that’s gonna keep them out, they’re smart,” said Cpt. Greg Salo with the DNR. ...

“It’s posing a huge problem for all the metro suburbs,” Salo said. “Even Minneapolis and St. Paul are having problems with coyotes.”

According to the DNR, healthy wild coyotes avoid people, and no attacks have ever occurred in Minnesota. However, attacks by urban coyotes have been reported in other states.

The DNR also says coyotes are very opportunistic, and residents should not leave pets unattended outside or feed the coyotes. Residents should also secure all garbage containers, wildlife feeders and other food sources, and vaccinate pets for rabies, distemper, parvo and other diseases.

The DNR also said hazing or screaming at coyotes that don't run when people are present will likely scare them off. However, that does not mean they are permanently gone from the area, according to the CBS Minnesota report.

The Edina City Council has worked on a coyote response plan and the police department held hazing demonstrations in 2012. For more information, contact Edina Animal Control Officer Tim Hunter at 952-826-0494.

What do you do to keep coyotes off your property? Have you had a recent run-in? Share your experiences in the comments section below.

Related articles on Edina Patch:

• Police Chief: Coyotes Are Here to Stay
• Are There Pet-Eating Coyotes in Edina?
• Edina Moving Forward with Coyote Response Plan
• Dealing with Edina's Wily Coyotes
• Twin Cities Coyote Attacks Raise Concerns
• Edina Police Schooling Residents in Coyote Hazing
• Second Edina Coyote Attack Spurs Council Response