Coyote Sightings In Birmingham Neighborhoods On The Rise

BIRMINGHAM, AL — While seeing a coyote in the wild in Alabama is not a big deal (they are pretty prevalent in Alabama), seeing one in your back yard can be somewhat alarming, especially if you live in the city. Reports of coyotes in residential neighborhoods in Birmingham have been on the rise lately, and residents trying to protect their pets have asked what they are supposed to do about the coyote situation.

Residents in Birmingham's Crestwood South, Crrstwood North, Crestline, East Lake and Avondale have all reported coyote sightings recently. Development, increased traffic and the thinning of wooded areas in these parts of the city can all attribute to coyotes wandering into residential neighborhoods.

While no known attacks on humans by coyotes have been reported in Alabama, coyotes are wild animals, and they have been known to attack small pets, and could carry rabies. As well, they are known to scavenge through trash and cause property damage.

So what are residents supposed to do?

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has a few tips for residents in helping curb coyotes from entering residential property:

1. Fence in your yard. It's a more costly option, but the surest way to keep coyotes away.

2. Make sure they don't have a food source. Avoid feeding your pets outside and store their food in your house so coyotes aren't tempted to take the food from your porch in the evening. Keep your trash cans sealed tightly, and if you have a garden, fence it in.

3. Keep your yard maintained. Reducing a coyote's opportunities for shelter deters them from coming around your yard. Keep grass cut short and bushes and trees trimmed.

4. Bring your pets in at night. Unfortunately, coyotes will kill and eat household pets like dogs and cats. the easiest way to avoid this is to make sure pets come inside at night.

5. Know how to "haze" a coyote. If you encounter a coyote on your property, the easiest way to get rid of it is to practice hazing. Make yourself as big and loud as possible by waving your arms, clapping your hands and shouting at the coyote. Banging pots and pans or using an airhorn are also effective if they're available. If the coyote doesn't respond by running, move closer until it does. Do not turn your back on a coyote or attempt to run. Squirt guns and hoses are also effective deterrents.

You can also buy special repellents, motion-activated floodlights and other products specifically made for keeping coyotes away.

If you plan to shoot a coyote found on your property, be sure to have a small game permit and to exercise extreme caution in neighborhoods.