Have Wile E. Coyotes been found in Wadsworth?
letter to the editor
To the Editor:
I have been reading concerns lately of coyotes sightings, just FYI.
Confusion can sometimes be a contributing factor when it comes to coyotes and people. Just as a shark will mistakenly bite a surfer resembling a swimming seal, coyotes may accidentally attack or injure a person. Hunters who are covered in camouflage and deer scent may find themselves the recipients of a coyote bite simply because they smell like a prey animal and are too disguised to be identified otherwise. One bite is usually all it takes for the coyote to realize a mistake has been made, but by that time the hunter is too terrified and outraged to let the transgression slip by. Any time a coyote attacks a person it is an automatic death sentence for the canine. Such instances are incredibly rare. As a general rule, coyotes do not attack people.
Are coyotes dangerous to people? Not really. On a scale of one to 10, 10 being the most dangerous animal, a coyote is probably a three or a four. You should worry more about your neighbor’s over-protective dog than you should about a coyote. Dogs frequently attack people; coyotes rarely do.
In non-threatening situations, research indicates that often it is best to leave coyotes where they are since the removal of one animal does not ensure removal of coyotes from your area in general. Most municipalities have adopted this belief.
Remember, they were here first. Here are a few things to do.
How to avoid a conflict with a coyote:
1. Do not feed them; 2. Do not let pets run loose; 3. Do not run from a coyote; 4. Repellents and fencing help; 5. Do not create conflict where it does not exist; 6. Report any aggressive action.
Dale Ruff
Wadsworth
I have been reading concerns lately of coyotes sightings, just FYI.
Confusion can sometimes be a contributing factor when it comes to coyotes and people. Just as a shark will mistakenly bite a surfer resembling a swimming seal, coyotes may accidentally attack or injure a person. Hunters who are covered in camouflage and deer scent may find themselves the recipients of a coyote bite simply because they smell like a prey animal and are too disguised to be identified otherwise. One bite is usually all it takes for the coyote to realize a mistake has been made, but by that time the hunter is too terrified and outraged to let the transgression slip by. Any time a coyote attacks a person it is an automatic death sentence for the canine. Such instances are incredibly rare. As a general rule, coyotes do not attack people.
Are coyotes dangerous to people? Not really. On a scale of one to 10, 10 being the most dangerous animal, a coyote is probably a three or a four. You should worry more about your neighbor’s over-protective dog than you should about a coyote. Dogs frequently attack people; coyotes rarely do.
In non-threatening situations, research indicates that often it is best to leave coyotes where they are since the removal of one animal does not ensure removal of coyotes from your area in general. Most municipalities have adopted this belief.
Remember, they were here first. Here are a few things to do.
How to avoid a conflict with a coyote:
1. Do not feed them; 2. Do not let pets run loose; 3. Do not run from a coyote; 4. Repellents and fencing help; 5. Do not create conflict where it does not exist; 6. Report any aggressive action.
Dale Ruff
Wadsworth
