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dog threatening a man
dog attacking a woman
dog threatening a man
dog attacking a woman
Saturday, September 13, 2014
A Western Coyote primer from the Los Angeles Register newspaper follows for your reference...................Note that while every media outlet in the world labels wild animals as DANGEROUS(Wolves,, Pumas, Bears, Coyotes), there are countless numbers of dog attacks on human beings..........Under the current paradigm of not to tolerate any wild animal attack on people, virtually every state Wildlife Agency will look to kill any carnivore that breaks this code...................Under the same logic, every dog who attacks a person should be killed immediately.................Why do the domestic carnivores get a pass while their wild cousins are put in the cross hairs?
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2 comments:
Thanks Rick for your observation on the media bias involving dog and coyote incidents with humans. Like you, I review the media related to coyotes almost daily for my @coyotewrites twitter account. I've noticed incidents that involve dogs are more likely to be described as 'bites' whereas coyote incidents are described as 'attacks.' This is especially disappointing when injuries and even deaths caused by dogs overwhelmingly outnumber those by coyotes.
Most of the information in the LA Register graphic is accurate. However, the graphic showing the food chain could be misinterpreted as coyotes preying on our pets, then pets preying on fowl, etc. Fortunately, the caption does describe the coyote diet accurately. The Chicago coyote study has shown that coyotes primarily eat rodents such as rabbits and rats. Cats only comprise 1% of the Chicago urban coyote diet. Also, the OSU Chicago study results are pointing to coyotes preying on pets is not necessarily for food. It may be more of a territorial reason with their canid cousin, the dog. And, cats may be killed as they are seen as competitors for rodents.
Understandably when someone loses a pet to wildlife, scientific study information doesn't offer any consolation. This is why I tweet information on public education events, safety tips to minimize conflicts, encourage community sighting communication systems and proactive hazing programs. We need to remember as humans we are the Apex predator and we can instill fear in coyotes with humane methods. I believe our pets and our own peace of mind are worth making the changes needed for co-existence with coyotes. I hope more and more communities have the will to implement humane, long term science-based solutions.
Thanks for all you do for our carnivores! Great blog! Best, Bonnie
Bonnie.............Thank you for your thoughtful note.........I know first hand how heartbreaking it is to lose a pet to a Coyote.......My dog was taken out of my back yard some 10 years ago in Los Angeles............My fault as I let him loose in a 6 foot cement fence enclosed back yard.........The Coyote easily jumped the fence and took my 9 pound Yorkie in a split second........Not the Coyotes fault as he(she) saw my dog as a competitor on his/her turf........I agree that intimidating the coyotes, not leaving food out, keeping watch on your pets is the path to coexistance with all creatures wild and free.......Thanks for reading the blog
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