It is possible for man and his canine companions to live in harmony with nature simply by practicing responsible pet ownership. Pet owners need to realize that a pack of coyotes may lure a domesticated dog away from its home and kill and eat the dog. Pet owners need to be aware of this behavior and safe guard pets.

This means that if you live in the country and see coyotes, you fence in your yard and keep pets inside at night, especially small dogs and cats. To let small pets run wild when coyotes are active is not only stupid, it is irresponsible!

It would also be wise for people who live in areas where coyotes occur to have large breed dogs, like a German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers or Rottweilers. A lone coyote is not likely to take on a dog two or three times its size. However, as coyotes hunt in packs they can kill large breed dogs by ganging up on them. Hence, do not allow even large breed dogs to wonder into coyote territory. If you do keep your dog outside at night consider a six foot high chain link fence kennel with roof and concrete floor. This should provide a coyote safe enclosure for your pet.

Wild coyotes should be left alone, not killed and hunted to extinction! The only justification for killing healthy wild coyotes is if you are going to eat them or use them to sustain your life and have no other source of protein. I don't know of anyone who eats coyotes. Therefore to kill just to kill is a process based upon misunderstanding, phobia and ignorance of the natural world.

If you see a coyote and the first thing that pops into your head is to kill it, please think again! We need coyotes to help control rodents, rabbits and other small animals. If you see a coyote or other wild animal, don't kill it. Just leave it alone. Then one day maybe there will still be coyotes and other wildlife around for your children and grandchildren to see!

Sincerely,
Terry Lynch
Date: 3 June, 2003

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