[News] Face to face with a Coyote - YorkieTalk.com Forums

fasteddie · 11-06-2005, 09:20 PM

Yuma, AZ - Jeanne Marsh was skeptical of stories about encounters with coyotes in urban areas around Yuma. She's not anymore.

In late October, Marsh said she and her tiny 4-pound Yorkshire terrier came face to face with a coyote at her residence in the Yuma valley.

"People should be aware that these animals are in the city," she said.

As Yuma has grown, more farmland and desert has been converted to subdivisions, which has led to more coyote sightings in urban settings.

Marsh said she was taking her dog outside early one morning when she saw the coyote walking along her backyard wall. Marsh lives in Country Meadows at County 12th Street and Avenue B.

The terrier ran up to the wall and was jumping up at the coyote. "The coyote looked poised to jump on the dog, so I screamed," Marsh said.

The local Arizona Game and Fish Department has not received an inordinate amount of calls about coyote sightings, according to Gary Hovatter, public information officer.

Hovatter said the agency receives calls about coyotes throughout the year. Any residential areas that are near agricultural land or desert are likely to draw the wild relatives of domesticated dogs.

Coyotes are most often seen in the Foothills, but John Hervert, wildlife program manager, said they can occasionally appear in the valley.

"Any location that borders on desert or agricultural land, it's not uncommon to see coyotes," he said.

Hervert said that typically in Yuma there have not been problems with coyotes. There have been coyote attacks on pets, but Hovatter said Game and Fish has never recorded an attack on a person.

Coyotes, which are extremely adaptable animals, are afraid of people and generally give ground when confronted by a human. Game and Fish said the coyotes to be wary of are those that seem to be behaving strangely or appear to have lost their fear of people.

"That's uncommon, in my opinion, for them to lose their fear of humans. If they're wild, they won't cause any problems," Hervert said.

Despite the few recent incidents, that record could change as the city continues to grow into lands that were once desert or farmland.

"Especially with the growth out toward the Foothills, when you put more people out there, you're going to have more encounters," Hervert said.

Coyotes have been seen on both sides of the Gila Mountains and out toward Wellton. Hervert said the heavy growth near Wellton may lead to more sightings.

Game and Fish research over the past few years in the Barry M. Goldwater Range has shown that the animals can travel up to 30 miles in one night in search of food and water. Particularly during the summer, Hervert said coyotes will travel long distances through the desert to reach the Gila River.

Any urban areas that might intersect the path of travel during these movements can be subject to coyotes. The animals generally move at night because they are shy and secretive, Hervert said. They can be attracted to food if it is left available to them.

Hervert said the Game and Fish Department has continued its research on coyotes in this area. He said they recently finished gathering data on coyotes in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.

Marsh said she gathers her own data each times she lets her dog out — she checks for coyotes, just to be safe.

"I was skeptical until I saw it myself," she said.

http://sun.yumasun.com/artman/publis...tory_20296.php

Yorkie guy · 01-04-2006, 10:18 AM

Yes coyotes are showing up more and more in urban areas here in Arizona,In just the last year I myself have seen a pair brazenly walking down Deer valley road a block from my home.....driving to work early (5am) one morning saw a coyote crossing 51st ave in the middle of a residentally area,at first thought ,thats odd it has a white head,only to realize it had a white cat in its mouth.
So definitely BEWARE!! They are around and you need to be vigilant with your babys...mine never went anywhere without being on a lead.Also With small dogs the size of Yorkies you need also to watch the sky's , predators abound in the air also.

chuckandnan · 01-06-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkie guy

Yes coyotes are showing up more and more in urban areas here in Arizona,In just the last year I myself have seen a pair brazenly walking down Deer valley road a block from my home.....driving to work early (5am) one morning saw a coyote crossing 51st ave in the middle of a residentally area,at first thought ,thats odd it has a white head,only to realize it had a white cat in its mouth.
So definitely BEWARE!! They are around and you need to be vigilant with your babys...mine never went anywhere without being on a lead.Also With small dogs the size of Yorkies you need also to watch the sky's , predators abound in the air also.

We recently moved back to Greeley Colorado from Chandler Arizona. When we in Arizona we had a blocked wall but still, I would never, ever let my baby outside without me watching it's every move. I was afraid of coyote's as I'd heard people saying they had seen them on the golf course at times. Also, I watched the sky because I was so worried of hawks or owls. They can take your baby also. Now that we are in Colorado we have a fenced yard, however, once again, I would never leave Dollie outside by herself for a moment and when she is playing and running I am there with her all the time. Please be careful ........Our babies our everything to us. Best of Luck..

Yorkie Mum · 01-06-2006, 04:12 PM

I wish it was just Coyotes that I have dealt with this year.
These guys are not to be taken lightly but live in the back yard of a Friends home as well as the valley where I work and walk down main street after the deers here in town.
But try This fall a black bear, growled from the ditch at us as we were out walking and we just went the other way.
Just this Thursday a bull Moose.
Moose was mad as a stray border collie was bugging it and well it left us alone but not fun having a bull moose pop out of the ditch on the other side of the road.
You learn to scoop the dog and get the kids behind you and walk backwards very well.
Life in Alberta is never boring.

Joy

RMKC · 01-07-2006, 09:18 AM

One never can be too careful, while walking Rosi i saw a little bobcat eyeballing her !!!

11-06-2005, 09:20 PM	#1
fasteddie *YT 5000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,810	[News] Face to face with a Coyote Yuma, AZ - Jeanne Marsh was skeptical of stories about encounters with coyotes in urban areas around Yuma. She's not anymore. In late October, Marsh said she and her tiny 4-pound Yorkshire terrier came face to face with a coyote at her residence in the Yuma valley. "People should be aware that these animals are in the city," she said. As Yuma has grown, more farmland and desert has been converted to subdivisions, which has led to more coyote sightings in urban settings. Marsh said she was taking her dog outside early one morning when she saw the coyote walking along her backyard wall. Marsh lives in Country Meadows at County 12th Street and Avenue B. The terrier ran up to the wall and was jumping up at the coyote. "The coyote looked poised to jump on the dog, so I screamed," Marsh said. The local Arizona Game and Fish Department has not received an inordinate amount of calls about coyote sightings, according to Gary Hovatter, public information officer. Hovatter said the agency receives calls about coyotes throughout the year. Any residential areas that are near agricultural land or desert are likely to draw the wild relatives of domesticated dogs. Coyotes are most often seen in the Foothills, but John Hervert, wildlife program manager, said they can occasionally appear in the valley. "Any location that borders on desert or agricultural land, it's not uncommon to see coyotes," he said. Hervert said that typically in Yuma there have not been problems with coyotes. There have been coyote attacks on pets, but Hovatter said Game and Fish has never recorded an attack on a person. Coyotes, which are extremely adaptable animals, are afraid of people and generally give ground when confronted by a human. Game and Fish said the coyotes to be wary of are those that seem to be behaving strangely or appear to have lost their fear of people. "That's uncommon, in my opinion, for them to lose their fear of humans. If they're wild, they won't cause any problems," Hervert said. Despite the few recent incidents, that record could change as the city continues to grow into lands that were once desert or farmland. "Especially with the growth out toward the Foothills, when you put more people out there, you're going to have more encounters," Hervert said. Coyotes have been seen on both sides of the Gila Mountains and out toward Wellton. Hervert said the heavy growth near Wellton may lead to more sightings. Game and Fish research over the past few years in the Barry M. Goldwater Range has shown that the animals can travel up to 30 miles in one night in search of food and water. Particularly during the summer, Hervert said coyotes will travel long distances through the desert to reach the Gila River. Any urban areas that might intersect the path of travel during these movements can be subject to coyotes. The animals generally move at night because they are shy and secretive, Hervert said. They can be attracted to food if it is left available to them. Hervert said the Game and Fish Department has continued its research on coyotes in this area. He said they recently finished gathering data on coyotes in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Marsh said she gathers her own data each times she lets her dog out — she checks for coyotes, just to be safe. "I was skeptical until I saw it myself," she said. http://sun.yumasun.com/artman/publis...tory_20296.php __________________ YODA & WINKY R ::: Winky's 2nd Birthday! ::: Yoda's 6th Birthday!

01-04-2006, 10:18 AM	#2
Yorkie guy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 227	Yes coyotes are showing up more and more in urban areas here in Arizona,In just the last year I myself have seen a pair brazenly walking down Deer valley road a block from my home.....driving to work early (5am) one morning saw a coyote crossing 51st ave in the middle of a residentally area,at first thought ,thats odd it has a white head,only to realize it had a white cat in its mouth. So definitely BEWARE!! They are around and you need to be vigilant with your babys...mine never went anywhere without being on a lead.Also With small dogs the size of Yorkies you need also to watch the sky's , predators abound in the air also. __________________ If Yorkies can't go to heaven,then when I die I want to go where they went!

01-06-2006, 04:12 PM	#4
Yorkie Mum YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Somewhere land Posts: 364	I wish it was just Coyotes that I have dealt with this year. These guys are not to be taken lightly but live in the back yard of a Friends home as well as the valley where I work and walk down main street after the deers here in town. But try This fall a black bear, growled from the ditch at us as we were out walking and we just went the other way. Just this Thursday a bull Moose. Moose was mad as a stray border collie was bugging it and well it left us alone but not fun having a bull moose pop out of the ditch on the other side of the road. You learn to scoop the dog and get the kids behind you and walk backwards very well. Life in Alberta is never boring. Joy

01-07-2006, 09:18 AM	#5
RMKC Rosi & Poli's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 5,218	One never can be too careful, while walking Rosi i saw a little bobcat eyeballing her !!!