[oneofakind864]

We live up in the hills above San Jose and you wouldn't think about an address that close to such a populated area would have the animals it does. But OMG..we had a TERRIBLE coyote infestation. Year before Last- there were 2 of them. Then last year, 4!( And they are NOT afraid of people either- I ran them out of my yard several times) But this spring there were EIGHT. Three dogs disappeared from the neighborhood- one of whom I heard get attacked one night. I was pretty sure he was killed based on what I heard and when I asked his owner the next day he said all they found was his bloody collar.


Another one of the neighbors caught the beasties after they DUG UNDER the wiring of his chicken coop and killed 2 of his hens. He then had to literally run them out with a broom to keep them from going after the other birds.


We found out a third neighbor, who very sweet and something of a hippie- was FEEDING THE COYOTES WITH HIS CATS! OMG!!!! He has multiple feral cats he has had fixed and set free and he said the coyotes would line up with the cats in the morning to get breakfast. "He" believed they wouldn't hurt the cats because he was feeding them. But after neighborhood pets started disappearing, and one of the other neighbor's Llama's got attacked and hurt defending the sheep around it from the pests...another one of the neighbors not to be mentioned put a "Specially treated meat" out for the coyotes near their den. Must have worked because I haven't seen a single one, nor have anymore domestic animals been hurt since.


I feel bad for the coyotes as innocent animals. But they really can be a problem. I guess that is one of the dangers of living on the edge of a wilderness area. We must protect the animals in our care. I know I would put myself in danger to protect my little Roxie. But I would never allow her to go out, especially at night and not be right there with me on a leash. She does get to play chase with our neighbors dog for short bursts of time in the fenced in area of our yard. But I am always looking for coyotes and hawks while she runs. I know she needs the exercise but it always makes me nervous so I am extra diligent during these periods. These little fur babies are like having 2 years olds. You'd never let a toddler out of the house after dark I hope.