Karen and the "Killer" Coyotes (The Sequel)
It’s that time of year again that every pet rescue, shelter, and “fur momma” feels the need to disseminate needless fear and anxiety that the “big bad coyotes” will steal their fur-babies and this time it is under the guise of the Ohio Department of Wildlife.
If you are on Facebook, I am sure you have seen the post flying around everywhere:
“OHIO- Ohio Department of Wildlife says that wildlife aggression of coyotes will be on high for the next several weeks.
The next 4-6 weeks is mating season for coyotes. Please pay attention to your dogs, or cats when outside. The outcome can be tragic as they can, and will attack your pets. Coyote breeding typically peaks in late February, and early March. Male coyotes can become more aggressive during this time of year. Keep your pets safe!”
This text is usually paired with some fear inducing picture of a coyote snarling, stalking an unsuspecting pet, or generally causing some sort of high crime and treason.
Without boring you and making this a 17 page essay, I will just hit on some of the points of this post that are in my opinion, factually inaccurate.
Ohio Department of Wildlife - First, in Ohio it is called the DIVISION of wildlife, not department. If a government organization puts out a press release such as this, they tend to use their actual name. So that is the first clue this is not wholly accurate. Second, if you go to the ODNR website and look at the latest press releases (https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-odnr/news/news) there is no record of a current release with this text. Third, if you type “coyote” into the ODNR website search bar, nothing remotely close to this article shows up in the search results.
“The next 4-6 weeks is mating season… peaks in late February early March” - Once again, a quick overview of the Coyote Info PDF available on the ODNR website ( https://ohiodnr.gov/static/documents/wildlife/backyard-wildlife/Coyote%20cardR112_F.pdf) shows that coyote breeding season encompasses January Through March. If Karen wants to truly worry about her fur babies… she should have started fretting weeks ago.
“... they can, and will attack your pets.” - This is a scare tactic many trappers, hunters, and coyote sport shooters disseminate to rally support for their culling events. Coyote’s diets consist mainly of small mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, and mice. Your cat and dog are not likely to become prey, ever. Your pets are more likely to be attacked by a raccoon than a coyote in our area.
I can GUARANTEE your pet will not be taken by coyotes if you follow one simple rule.
Be a responsible pet owner.
Do not allow them to walk off leash in the woods or unattended to run free. Do not let them out after dark unsecured by a fence or unsupervised.
It is as simple as that.
Coyotes are not spending the next few weeks looking to eat your adorable sweater wearing pocket pal min-pin. They are focused on finding a mate, and securing a den. As long as your pet does not interfere with either of those, it will be safe. If you use common sense and be a responsible pet owner, you have no fear of the big bad “not even a wolf”.
Till Next Time… See Ya Folks.