Town of Belmont - Coyote Information

As fall begins to give way to winter, residents are reminded that coyote breeding season will begin soon. Some residents may be sick of hearing the same information, but it’s paid off, as no known pets have been preyed on by coyotes the last 3 years. This coexistence has been achieved because residents have had accurate, up to date information and education regarding coyote natural behavior. It is the goal of the Health Department to continue to pass information along to the residents regularly in order to educate as many residents as possible.

Residents are again reminded that coyote breeding season resumes during January and February. Coyotes become territorial and more aggressive during this time and may attack pets if left unattended. Residents are urged to be more stringent and observant with their pets and never leave them outside unattended. All small pets are at risk throughout the year from being preyed on as a food source, but risks elevate during the breeding season because not only will they attack for food, they will also attack to defend territories.

Compared to three years ago, very little notable coyote activity was evident this past summer and fall. Two coyote pups were located this spring and tracked throughout the summer, however, both pups were recently killed by cars in Waltham just two days apart. It was remarkably quiet and uneventful this year. I believe this can be explained based from observations and reports that coyote populations have leveled and territories established, thus keeping roaming coyotes away. They’re still here, still being reported, but in much lower incidents than previous years.

Fishers are now considered well established within the town, as at least four (two males and two females) have been killed by cars since January. Fishers are in the weasel family and are very capable predators, nocturnal and arboreal. They can climb trees extremely well, as they have special joints in their hind legs that allow them to maneuver up and down trees with ease. Although no strong evidence has been found that supports predation of domestic cats by fishers, it would be safe to assume that cats would be easy prey for fishers and cat owners should take note of their existence in the area.

So far, coexisting with the eastern coyote has been attained. Some are inconvenienced by their presence, but understand that they’re not going away. I will continue to monitor them in every aspect of their behavior and movements and stand ready to take any appropriate action should an incident arise.

Residents are reminded to keep their pets licensed and vaccinated at all times, and NEVER leave any pets outside unattended. Should you cross paths with a coyote, exhibit a threatening posture and throw something at it. Yelling and waving your arms and charging work well. We must remind the coyotes to have and keep fear of us in order to eliminate problem encounters.

A community educational program regarding coyotes will be given Wednesday January 10, 2007, from 7pm to 9pm in the assembly room of the Belmont Public Library on addressStreetConcord Ave. The PowerPoint presentation depicts coyotes in placeCityBelmont and everything you need to know. Presentation will be given by the Animal Control Officer.

Belmont residents are reminded that coyotes are still living in and around Belmont. Recently, a coyote was spotted numerous times on Taylor Road and vicinity, (see pictures below). Residents are cautioned when letting their pets roam free. Keep your pets vaccinated and up to date on all shots, especially rabies. Spring marks the arrival of pups and with that, a higher food demand. Coyotes may be seen foraging during daylight hours in effort to feed the growing brood. Coyotes are normally shy and will stear clear of humans. Please call animal control if you have any questions or fears (617-993-2724).

Some residents may be sick of hearing the same information, but it’s paid off, as no known pets have been preyed on by coyotes the last 2 years. This coexistence has been achieved because residents have had accurate, up to date information and education regarding coyote natural behavior. It is the goal of the Health Department to continue to pass information along to the residents regularly in order to educate as many residents as possible.

Residents are again reminded that coyote breeding season is in full swing, (January/February). Coyotes become territorial and more aggressive during this time and may attack pets if left unattended. Residents are urged to be more stringent and observant with their pets and never leave them outside unattended. All small pets are at risk throughout the year from being preyed on as a food source, but risks elevate during the breeding season because not only will they attack for food, they will also attack to defend territories.

Compared to two years ago, very little notable coyote activity was evident this past summer and fall. It was remarkably quiet and uneventful this year. I believe this can be explained based from observations and reports that coyote populations have leveled and territories established, thus keeping roaming coyotes away. They’re still here, still being reported, but in much lower incidents than last year.

A new predator has arrived in Belmont recently and may be more of a concern to cat and small pet owners than coyotes. The fisher has been seen around town since May and one was recently hit by a car on Concord Avenue. Recent tracks indicate at least one more is within the town borders. More on fishers in a separate article, but residents should know that these animals are very capable predators, nocturnal and arboreal. They have been known to take domestic cats and since they can climb trees extremely well, they should be considered a real danger to cats.

As we enter the Holidays, residents are reminded that coyote breeding season will soon begin, (January/February). Coyotes become territorial and more aggressive during this time and may attack small pets if left unattended. Residents are urged to be more stringent and observant with their pets and never leave them outside unattended. All small pets are at risk throughout the year from being preyed on as a food source, but risks elevate during the breeding season because not only will they attack for food, they will also attack to defend territories as well. Four such attacks took place last year on small dogs; we know they were territorial attacks because they didn’t consume the animal.

Compared to last year, very little notable coyote activity was evident this past summer and fall. It was remarkably quiet and uneventful this year. I believe this can be explained based from observations and reports that coyote populations have leveled and territories established, thus keeping roaming coyotes away. They’re still here, still being reported, but in much lower incidents than last year.

Most residents have noticed the elevated populations of squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits this year, and I’m quite sure the coyotes have too. Based on scat examinations, it’s apparent that local coyotes have been eating mostly rabbits, squirrels and assorted plant matter. I’ve seen far less scat this year, as compared to last year which definitely indicates a decline in population numbers.

After much publicity regarding coyotes last year and before, local cats seen outside dropped dramatically and more and more residents heeded the warnings and brought them in. I’ve noticed more and more cats outside lately and I attribute that to the lack of any recent media attention regarding coyotes. Residents are urged to keep all small pets indoors and let as many people know regarding the dangers of small pets and coyotes. Residents should also be advised that coyotes aren’t the only hazards to their pets, but also cars and diseases. This past summer reflected a sharp and sad increase in pets being hit by cars, (both dogs and cats); another reminder that pets are simply safer indoors.

Belmont residents are reminded that coyotes are living among us. Coyote pups born this spring will have increasing food requirements and put higher demands on the parents who are feeding them. Between July and September OF 2003, a total of 17 cats were believed to have been preyed upon by coyotes. Coyotes learn quickly and it's expected that cats will be viewed as "easy prey". Residents are urged to keep all small pets indoors or closely supervised; especially during evening hours. Pet owners are in complete control of the health and welfare of their pets. Pets left unattended are at a high risk.

Misleading data, newspaper stories and letters to the editor have escalated fears and sometimes skirted the facts about coyotes. Statements like “exploding populations”, “not long before a child is bitten” and “live trap and remove” are misleading. Know the facts about coyotes before you make judgments about them.

Coyotes are self regulating in terms of population. They establish territories and home ranges and won’t allow other coyotes to enter. Wild coyotes have been known to have a home range of over 70 miles, but recent research of urban coyotes show a roaming range of 10 to 15 miles, (up to 25 miles in some instances). This is factual and recent information. Small groups may be seen and easily mistaken as a “pack”, but it is almost certain to be a family group. Coyote pups stay with the parents for at least a year. They often stay and assist the adults to raise new litters and then leave on their own to find their own territories. This is known as dispersing. Dispersing pups may travel hundreds of miles before they find free territory to claim as their own. Most will be hit by cars and never breed.

Killing, removing, and trapping coyotes for “control” purposes will only open up free territory and food resources and encourage dispersed coyotes to move in. Justifying the cost and town resources to remove something that will soon be back is not good policy. Leg-hold traps, whether legal or not is out of the question. There are far too many domestic pets that are running loose to use these inhumane traps in Belmont. Not many are in favor of risking pets or wildlife chewing their legs off in order to escape a leg-hold trap. Capture and release is illegal in Massachusetts and inhumane, therefore not even considered. Not only would this open areas into which other coyotes would move, but it is transferring the problem to someone else’s backyard.

Coyote researcher Jonathan Way reports that getting a coyote in a box trap is extremely difficult and time consuming. Coyotes are so cautious that he has to wire the trap open and leave bait at the opening for weeks, moving the meat a few inches at time towards the inside of the trap. It takes months to catch a coyote.

In regards to rabies, you have a much better chance of getting rabies from your pet cat than you do from a dog or coyote. The last twelve years of rabies testing at the state lab proves it; 110 domestic cats positive for rabies, compared to 6 coyotes and 6 dogs. Based on coyote natural behavior, it is safe to assume that the presence of coyotes may even reduce the incidence of rabies in our neighborhoods. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and tend to take the easy meal. An animal who’s suffering from rabies would an easy kill for a coyote. Rabies is passed in saliva through a bite; transmission does not usually occur through consumption.

The issue of children being safe in the backyard always comes up. It sounds really good and is effective in causing fear, but statistically, it doesn’t come close to the real dangers of urban living. A bite from a coyote has happened once in Massachusetts. The possibility of being bitten by a coyote does exist, but the probability is quite low. The Health Department and the Animal Control Officer is really more concerned about the many bites that occur from pet dogs and cats, some of which are not vaccinated. Rest assured that if a coyote or any other animal bites, the Health Department and Animal Control Officer will take immediate and appropriate action.

Simple precautions are all it will take to coexist with coyotes. Residents should never feed wildlife including coyotes. If you see them in your yard, make a lot of noise until they run away. Do not feed pets outdoors. Supervise small and older pets and your children when they are outdoors. No amount of work in the USA and Canada has ever eradicated the coyote and I do not think it would be a successful strategy here either.

Keep all pets vaccinated and licensed. Coyotes are normally shy and avoid humans, but may become bolder if not scared away. Yelling, charging or throwing water at coyotes is encouraged and is effective. For additional information regarding coyotes, please call the Animal Control Officer at 617-993-7274.