THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 20, 2024 Page 11 COYOTES | FROM PAGE 10 more often as they search for food to feed their pups. Daytime activity is normal behavior and does not mean the animal is rabid. While coyotes can contract rabies, it is not frequently documented. A coyote exhibiting signs of rabies may display a lack of coordination, circling, paralysis, excessive salivation, self-mutilation or aggressive behavior toward other animals and/or inanimate objects. Any coyote exhibiting these clinical signs should be reported immediately to the local Animal Control Officer and/or Police Department. What do coyotes eat? Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will feed on whatever is most readily available and easy to obtain. Their primary natural foods include fruit, berries, small rodents, rabbits, birds, snakes, frogs and insects. They will scavenge on animal remains, including roadkill, and will readily consume garbage, compost, fruit and vegetable crops and pet food left outdoors. Coyotes will consume birdseed and will prey on birds and small mammals attracted to bird feeders. Coyotes may prey upon unleashed pets, including outdoor house cats and unsupervised domestic dogs, as well as free-ranging livestock, such as backyard chickens. Because coyotes eat so many different foods, they have adapted to live in a variety of habitats, including heavily populated areas. How can I effectively prevent conflicts between coyotes and people? There are several simple steps you can take to minimize your chance of experiencing wildlife conflict: • Remove and secure all food sources from around homes and businesses • Remove food and habitat sources for small animals like rodents (brush and wood piles, spilled bird seed, pet food and water sources) • Never intentionally feed a wild animal • Keep trash securely contained or indoors • Supervise young children when they are playing outside • Aggressively haze coyotes any time they are encountered • Additional strategies: • Install fencing (six feet high and one foot below ground or with a skirt a few feet in length staked to the ground) • Use motion-sensitive outdoor lighting or sprinklers • Close off crawl spaces under decks, porches and sheds How can I protect my pets or livestock from coyotes? You can protect your pets from coyotes by: • Feeding pets inside or supervising outdoor feedings and keeping the area clean • Supervising pets while outdoors, including having them under your control on a leash • Keeping pets up to date on vaccinations • Securing hobby livestock, chickens, etc. in well-built pens What is the chance of a person being attacked by a coyote? The chance of being attacked by a coyote is extremely low. The majority of bites of humans can be directly attributed to intentional feeding COYOTES | SEE PAGE 15
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