Coyote Sighting

I read a report from a local resident who said she saw a coyote sitting on the Northeast corner of Livingston and Noe-Bixby.  This was in the early morning on Friday, January 19^th.



I bring this up because coyotes are dangerous.  Although they look like dogs, they're a different animal entirely.

Not a Dog - It's a Coyote

Unlike a dog, the coyote will adapt to city living in a very short time.  They learn about traffic right away, where to scavenge for food, and how to avoid their only natural enemy - people.  Coyotes will kill and eat your cat or dog; an 80 pound Doberman is no match for a 40 pound coyote.

As a rule, coyotes hunt alone, but if food is scarce coyotes will hunt in a pack so as to bring down larger game, such as a deer.

Coyote Facts

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will tell you that coyotes in the Ohio area weigh 30 to 40 pounds, but that information is somewhat outdated.  Since wolves have been introduced to North America, the coyotes have been cross-breeding with the wolves, resulting in coyotes that weigh 60 to 80 pounds.  This makes the coyote dangerous.

Coyotes are generally active at night, so you probably won't see them in the daytime.  All that being the case, I'd urge you to keep your cat indoors, and carry your pepper spray with you when you go out to walk the dog.  A can of bear repellent is a better choice, as it will drive away any animal of 500 pounds or less.  Please use a good deal of caution if you go walking or biking in Big Walnut Park.