just saw a coyote in downtown...is that unusual? (Chicago: fences, suburbs)

[LINative]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Nobody should have to worry about a coyote swooping in on their dog in a very urban public park in Chicago.

Or jumping over 6 foot fences to attack your pets or children in their own yard!

[AbqTeacher]

Originally Posted by LINative

I used to believe this. A few years ago, Coyotes began entering The Bronx and even crossing over into Manhattan. I thought nothing of it, because coyotes are not native to New York State and a few coyotes here and there is probably a fluke.

But this year alone, there have been at least 4 attacks on children in Westchester County, suburban areas that have been developed for over 40 to 50 years. These are not "wild" or "far-out developments". Coyotes are now entering the inner suburbs and even our dense cities.

In the U.S. there has only been one recorded fatality from a coyote attack on record.

In 2008 alone there were 23 fatal dog attacks. You're more at risk being attacked by your neighbor's dog than you are being attacked by a coyote.

Just to put things in perspective.

[Milwaukee City]

I guess from what I have been hearing they have been popping up all over in cities in the US lately. I once saw a Deer in a downtown Milwaukee alley once back in 1992. So I believe anything is possible nowadays. I hear a lot of these animals come in on the train tracks and follow their way into the city. I don't know if that's true or not but that's what I have heard from numerous people.

[Alacran]

I saw a deer by the train tracks in bellwood next to factories.

I guess since railroads don't have many humans walkin around they feel safe around em

[chicagocubs]

The coyote will kill any chickens in any urban farms around....

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Nobody should have to worry about a coyote swooping in on their dog in a very urban public park in Chicago.

They are coming from the Forest Preserves, which are very large areas. I am sure you are familiar with the deer over-population issue in the Forest Preserves in Cook County?

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by mdand3boys

They are coming from the Forest Preserves, which are very large areas. I am sure you are familiar with the deer over-population issue in the Forest Preserves in Cook County?

Of course, but there are no forest preserves close to downtown.

[ckzona]

Originally Posted by LINative

Or jumping over 6 foot fences to attack your pets or children in their own yard!

Nearly happened me. Out in Dupage County we had a pack of coyotes living by our pond and wetland area. THey lived in the wetland and came over by our pond to kill and eat goose and rabbits. One day at at 400 am i went out to let my dog out and came back and there was 3 coyotes at the fence tryin to get at my dog. I scared them off and they waited about 30 yrds from the fence for the next hour. Since than though they have been trapped and relocated.

[LINative]

Originally Posted by AbqTeacher

In the U.S. there has only been one recorded fatality from a coyote attack on record.

In 2008 alone there were 23 fatal dog attacks. You're more at risk being attacked by your neighbor's dog than you are being attacked by a coyote.

Just to put things in perspective.

We cannot do anything about the domesticated dog population in the United States (all 60 to 70 million of them), nor can we do anything about cats, automobiles, boats, trains, planes, etc.

But we can say we will not allow medium sized WILD predators to live in the center of our cities, suburbs and small towns. Thats just nuts.

[Alacran]

Why not cats?