[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I think some posters don't really get the idea of what a coyote is. They're a type of wolf. They are primarily carnivores. They eat dogs and cats, and when mama and papa work together, can take down a sheep. They usually avoid people, and do most of their hunting at night.

I saw this coyote in the middle of the day, out in front of a person's house, with her pup. This animal, who normally avoids humans, hunts mostly at night, and can ABSOLUTELY cause major injury and even kill a human if provoked, hungry, or sick, appears to be losing her fear of humans.

When a coyote stops avoiding humans, they become aggressive toward humans. So this coyote is already on her way toward not caring that you're bigger than she is. She'll get her mate and the two of them will nom on your leg, and save the toes for Junior's mid-day snack. Coyotes are not small dogs. They're about as big as a border collie (a medium-sized dog), but twice as strong, with a much more viscous bite, much more wiry and quick.

I'm an animal lover. I think coyotes are awesome creatures and I love watching them. In the wild. Away from peoples' houses, or farms. When they come into a residential neighborhood, it's bad news for everyone. When someone FEEDS them in a residential neighborhood, it is cruel - because it helps them breed in those residential neighborhoods, which leads to pups being born in burrows under the driveway - and when the homeowner finds out they're more likely to pay for someone to poison them, than they are to rehome them or shoot them.

As for a bb gun, that'll just anger the coyote and it could end up turning and attacking YOU. These are not passive lovely shy creatures. They are cautious and wily (which is why the Roadrunner's nemesis is named Wyle E. Coyote), clever and unforgiving when protecting themselves, their territory, and their pups.

I agree with everything you just posted. That is why the most humane thing is to stop the looney who is feeding them. I feel sorry for the immediate & surrounding neighbors. I wonder if there is a way to get the immediate neighbors to stop the mad feeder? Flyers? Posted signs saying Do Not Feed the Wildlife? Posted signs for camera surveillance? (no camera - just the signs). Maybe the next door neighbor who was concerned enough to ask you why you were taking pictures wouldn't mind getting involved if she is made aware of the risks, which will keep growing if unabated. If the perp is a cat lover, then maybe just explaining that they are feeding cat eaters would stop them. Good luck!