Are You Concerned About Coyotes In Des Moines? Please Take Our Poll…
With the summer months comes heat, late sunsets and of course…an awakened Mother Nature, including predators like coyotes.
WLB Reader Cindy sent us the following email:
Could some type of notification be sent to Des Moines residents that there are coyotes in the area?
I’ve seen them (and heard pups) in the greenbelt between 15 Ave S & 13 Ave S. I’ve seen several people looking for their cats & some have posted fliers. I’ve heard cats screaming at night. I’m sure coyotes and raccoons are getting some, if not all, of them.
Marine View Vet told my neighbors that a cat they found had been attacked by coyotes – it had to be euthanized when it was discovered to also have feline aids.
There’s a clearing south of 22633 15th Ave S where children sometimes play, people walk their dogs & they also pick blackberries. The coyotes and pups have been heard howling just on the edge of the clearing (on the edge of the greenbelt), just feet and maybe inches from where these people have been observed.
I’m afraid someone is going to get hurt if something isn’t done. Please advise.
Thank you,
Cindy
The last known coyote scare in the area that we know of was last August, when fliers were posted in the North Hill neighborhood about missing pets and sightings of these creatures (read the post here on our sister site The B-Town Blog).
Here’s a video from last September of a coyote spotted in Seattle:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apuKlq-v2iE[/youtube]
And here’s one of a trucker in British Columbia feeding a coyote his leftover sandwich:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09eb88XgZDk[/youtube]
Have you seen a coyote? Think they’re a danger to Des Moines? Please take our poll or Comment below…
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I believe they coyotes are out there, wondering why…
I've read blogs from ranchers in Yellowstone that since the reintroduction of wolves in 1995, the coyote population has thinned. Apparently wolves have chased them out of Yellowstone and into surrounding states. They are now in every state except Hawaii. There is a lot of good info on Washington's Government website http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/coyotes.htm on how to protect yourself, when to spot them, etc. Coyotes eat wild species such as squirrels, birds, rabbits & snakes, but they are also known to eat pet food, garbage, garden crops, livestock, poultry, and pets (mostly cats). They will also attack dogs, as this article attests to: http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=jul2...
We live on 223 and 13th and 2 weeks ago, while eating on our deck at 5pm, we had a coyote in our yard (Barnes Creek runs through our property). Guess what – they live here too! I love my pets, but our cats live indoors only and our dogs come in at night. If you really love your pets, don't leave them out as coyote (or car) bait. And please don't leave food out for your pets or the racoons.
I live in the Normandy Park neighborhood above the Marina and recently lost a long time cat. When I went to search for her, all of the neighbors mentioned that there were reported coyotes in the neighborhood.
We have seen coyotes this year and last year here in the Zenith neighborhood. Most recently, there have been neighborhood sightings of a bobcat and a cougar. Living near the ravine, we are very aware and respectful of the natural wildlife here in Des Moines.
We saw a coyote in the road on 16th Ave between 222nd and 223rd. They’re afraid of humans and run away upon seeing us. Most dogs are bigger than they are, so they won’t bother. They’re probably after the dog food you leave out. They’re generally no worse than raccoons. They aren’t likely to haul off a kid or anything, and are generally nocturnal. No reason to panic. Besides, if they howl at night, it provides a fantastic “Dark Shadows” memory. Leave ‘em alone.
There were no documented coyote attacks on humans in Washington state until 2006. In April 2006, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers euthanized two coyotes in Bellevue after two young children were bitten while their parents were nearby. Coyotes had also scratched and snapped at two women and charged a man in the same area. Several more attacks in Wa. state have been documented since. These coyotes’ unusually aggressive behavior likely resulted from being fed by people. Never feed coyotes lest they lose their fear of humans.
Coyotes occasionally kill domestic dogs that they consider territorial intruders. Coyotes are also very protective of their young and will attack dogs that get too close to their den and pups. Attacks on large dogs are more uncommon than in smaller breed dogs, but they do happen. Case in point: One or more coyotes attacked a 42-pound keeshound near a walking trail at Olympia’s Watershed Park, off Henderson Boulevard. Although coyotes are usually solitary animals that shun humans, coyote packs can pose a danger, especially to pets and small children. Coyote packs generally form when a breeding pair of animals continues to live with yearling off-spring.
If a coyote acts in an aggressive or unusual way, call your local wildlife office or state patrol. Visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/coyotes.htm to learn more.
Our brown miniature pincher (minpin) went missing on Friday (10/30/09) in the 232nd and Marine View Drive So. area of Des Moines at midnight. Just wondering whether the coyote sightings could be related to our missing dog.
I saw a coyote last night (11/18/09) on 8th Ave So and South 196th St . It ran across the street eastbound into a driveway, and after I drove past, it walked back across the street westbound.
I have lived here since 1955, and this is the first time I have seen a coyote
I lost a beautiful Siamese cat July 4th, and I now suspect he was a coyote victim.
I can hear coyotes at night north and east of my home
We live at 232 & 25th Avenue South and we have had a coyote living in our backyard now for over 4 months. We cannot get rid of it or scare it away permanently. Needless to say our cat that loves the outdoors now has to stay indoors. Wish there was a way they could be caught and taken back out to the wildnerness. Course with all the building not sure where that would be anymore.
We have seen coyotes quite regularly on the property at Landmark on the Sound. The last sighting we had was in July ’09, but someone generally sees one wandering around every 6 months or so. I have found that the coyotes run whenver they see a human, but sadly, we have found remants of cats, raccoons, and other furry creatures in the past.
We have coyotes living in the woods between 13th and 15th along 223rd. I’d rather have them than the racoons! Please, people, stop feeding the racoons and squirrels!!
I’ve seen the coyote twice 1st Jan 29th and then again today Feb 2
along the des moines wa creek west of the bridge
Chris, I have noticed that I have heard more “wild dog noise” that sounds fairly close when outside later at night. We live on the creek less than a block from the area you mentioned.
Add to that, a friend of ours said he spotted one in near our yard a week ago. I have noticed the dramatic decrease in raccoon packs in our yard–perhaps the coyotes are assisting in the raccoon control? We used to spot packs of 2 to 5 raccoons frequently in our yard at anytime of the day. I haven’t seen one sign of a raccoon since they ransacked our garbage a few months ago.
We frequently walk on the creek path and coyotes concern me. At least in my yard I have shovels and sharp objects!
Really people, lets think this coyote issue through. This is all part of the City of Des Moines economic revitalization program. With the coyotes here can the ACME rocket, explosives and large anvil company be far behind? How else can they get the road runner? Think of all the tax revenues those purchases will generate.
The poll is grossly flawed. It implies that everyone who has seen them thinks them dangerous and everyone who has not seen them thinks them harmless.
I vote, “Yes, I’ve seen them and like them a lot.”
I’d like to see more of them.