8-18-2005 AJC Report.  Early Sunday morning Jenni Duncan stepped onto her Front porch only to see a coyote with her cat in its mouth, a short distance away.  Duncan lives in the Plantation Gates subdivision in Lawrenceville.  The Duncan's back yard, and that of others in their cul-de-sac, borders wooded area in which the coyote took refuge still carrying the cat.  Students taking the bus to Brookwood High School gather at a bus stop before sunrise, right next to the same woods.

Coyotes have been sighted in all 159 Georgia counties, according to a report by the State Department of Natural Resources.  The animals have spread to all lower 48 states, have been in North Georgia about 15-20 years.  In the last eight years sightings have slightly increased in the metro Atlanta area.  As development shrinks coyote habitats -- such as forests and farmlands -- coyotes are finding more people sharing their space, and vice versa.  The Gwinnett County does not have a documented case of a coyote attacking a person. 

DNR officials say coyotes seem to be scared of people and would rather avoid direct confrontation, and that would even include children.  There is a much higher chance of a child being bitten by a stray dog.  Nonetheless, officials stop short of saying there is no risk, calling the chance of a coyote attack very, very slim. 

If California's experience with coyotes is any example, there may be cause for concern.  While attacks elsewhere in the country have been scant, if any, they have occurred in California.  According to a 2004 University of California study, there were 48 coyote attacks on Californians from 1998 to 2003.  They attacked in back yards, on golf courses and on streets, in daylight and night time.  One coyote ventured into a schoolyard in the middle of day and bit two children.  The study said that attacks on people were preceded by "increasing bold coyote behaviors," including neighborhood sightings and attacks on pets. 

Coyotes' exposure to people and their finding food near them may have contributed to their decreased sense of fear.  Coyotes have been known to feed on garbage, pet food, water in ponds and small pets.  In one case the California Department of Fish & Game reported a coyote bit a woman who was feeding it.   To be sure, Canis latrans may come after Homo sapiens, if they think you are a food source or you have food.  Gwinnett County may be witnessing a similar adaptation.

The State DNR recommends keeping pets and their food inside at night, securing trash bins and clearing brush and dense weeds that a coyote can use for cover.   

12-19-2004 Voice of Shadow Lake Report.  The coyote has no special conservation status in North America.  Presently they are inhabiting a larger range than ever.  Their record numbers are due to the ability to adapt wherever there is food and shelter available.  Attempts to eliminate the coyote have been largely unsuccessful due to the animal's intelligence and ability to adaptability environmental changes.  

Although the coyote is an excellent hunter, feeding primarily on rats, mice, ground squirrels, rabbits and insects, it will not hesitate to kill cats, small dogs, poultry, sheep or goats, given the opportunity.  They learn domestic animals are easier to catch than wild prey and will prowl neighborhoods in search of unattended pets.  Toddlers and small children should not be left unattended outdoors, day or night.  

Coyotes are capable of scaling fences up to six feet high.  They will also dig under fences.  Coyotes are wild animals and should be treated as such.  No attempt should be made to pet or otherwise make contact them.  The following is good advice...

Do's

• Keep your cats and small dogs indoors at night or any other time when a coyote is known to be present.
• Accompany your small dog in a well lighted area for comfort walks.
• Walk your dog on a leash whenever you take it off of your property.
• Keep all outdoor trash can lids securely fastened to trash containers.

Don'ts

• Feed wild animals. 
• Leave pet food outside, particularly at night.
• Allow pets to roam from home -- especially at night.
• Don't leave water bowls for pets outdoors.
• Don't leave garbage containers open.

Coyotes and all other predatory mammals are considered opportunistic hunters.  It is your responsibility to afford fundamental protection for your children and pets.