Palos Verdes Estates, CA

  This portal can be used to report coyote sightings and coyote related incidents.  It also can be used to view interactive Coyote mapping with pinned incident location and descriptions.

Urban Coyote sightings have increased significantly in the South Bay area of Los Angeles within the past two years.  The incidents of missing pets has also increased along with the number of missing pet notices and signs posted throughout the region.  Coyotes are found throughout the Southern California and Los Angeles area, and thrive in the urban environment.  They survive because the urban environment, though it poses some risks to coyotes, actually provides food, water, shelter, and space.  

Most people see coyotes in the urban environment walking along trails, streets, or open spaces.  Some residents have reported seeing coyotes in their yards.  While coyote attacks on humans are very rare, our small pets, such as dogs and cats, are at risk of being killed by coyotes if precautions are not taken.

Being aware of the coyotes in our environment, and the precautionary steps to take, can significantly reduce fear in humans and help protect our beloved pets and small children.  Human behavior, such as people feeding coyotes, causes problems and increases that conflict between humans and these wild animals.   Specifically, feeding coyotes contributes to these wild animals losing their fear of humans which causes them to get closer to people and their pets. Coyotes have adequate natural food supplies and are capable of surviving in the city without our help, but unfortunately we sometimes unknowingly make it too easy or comfortable for the coyotes to eat and drink at our homes rather than forage for rodents in the open spaces.   Many residents unknowingly create attractants such as leaving pet food out or not picking up fallen fruit from fruit trees.  The best way to protect people, pets, and coyotes is to discourage them from visiting your property by modifying our behavior and reducing attractants.  

In PVE, the police department manages animal issues and residents are encouraged to notify the police department to report coyote sightings. 

Here are some Coyotes Do’s and Don’ts:

1. Never feed coyotes!
2. Coyotes are attracted to areas with rodents, so remove sources of food and rodent hiding places (wood piles, debris) in your yard and garden.
3. Remove fallen fruit and bird seed.
4. Secure trash with a locking lid, or put your trash out on the morning of trash pickup.
5. Use compost containers that do not attract rodents instead of having compost piles exposed in your yard or on your property.
6. Trim vegetation and remove unnecessary piles of wood and clutter to reduce rodent hiding places, and store necessary items off of the ground.
7. Work with your neighbors to discourage coyotes from your neighborhood.
8. Frighten coyotes away by spraying them with a garden hose, yelling, or banging pots and pans to help them re-learn their healthy and natural fear of humans.
9. Call PVEPD at 310-378-4211 to report coyote sightings, and dial 9-1-1 to report those that are behaving aggressively toward humans.

 Pets & Coyotes

1. Keep your pets on a short leash, 6’ or shorter, when walking outdoors. Do not use retractable leashes or allow them to walk or run on their own, off-leash.
2. Keep your pets up-to-date on vaccinations.
3. Keep all pet food and treats indoors.
4. Never allow your pets to play with a coyote.
5. Pick up small pets if confronted by a coyote.
6. If a coyote approaches you and your pet, yell, stomp your feet and throw small rocks or sticks at it.
7. Always supervise your pet whenever outside, especially at dawn and dusk.
8. Never leave cats or dogs outside after dark.
9. If you must leave your pet outside, secure it in a fully enclosed kennel.

 Facts About Coyotes

1. Coyotes are active year-round, especially during their breeding season from February to March.
2. Coyotes are active throughout the day, but especially at dawn and dusk.
3. Coyotes are highly adaptable and can live and make their dens in parks and yards.
4. Coyotes may see pets as food, competition, or as a threat and can become aggressive.
5. Coyotes keep watch near their dens to keep threats away from their young.

Things to Teach Children

1. Never approach wild animals (alive or dead) or dogs you don’t know.
2. If a coyote approaches, wave your arms, stomp your feet, and tell it loudly to “Go away!”
3. Do not turn your back on coyotes or run away.
4. Call for help. If the animal doesn’t leave, walk out of the area, keeping the animal in your sight.

Adaptation to Humans

Coyotes have adapted to living in cities and neighborhoods because our environment supports them. Their populations may fluctuate, but they typically won’t leave once they are established. Eradication programs in North American cities have proven to be expensive failures, as these animals have adapted to our presence and have lost their natural fear of people.  Coyotes that are trapped are euthanized since they cannot be relocated or released by law.

 

Please report all coyote activity in PVE to the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department by phone (310) 378-4211 or through the Peninsula Cities Coyote Sighting and Reporting Portal.

View the video of the Coyote Meeting held on June 30, 2021 by clicking here:   

https://www.pvestates.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/7091/16?curm=6&cury=2021

 Additional information and resources are posted below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Click to view the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Coyote Brochure

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   Click to view the PVEPD Home and Yard checklist.