What do I do when I see a coyote?

Check out our Coyote Webpage

If you encounter a coyote try the following hazing methods:

  • Yell and wave your arms while approaching the coyote.
  • Use noisemakers (your voice, whistles, air horns, bells, etc.)
  • Use projectiles (sticks, small rocks, cans, balls)
  • Try other repellents (water hose, water gun with vinegar water, walking sticks, pepper/bear spray)
  • Hazing is a method that uses deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourages an undesirable behavior or activity. Hazing can help maintain coyotes’ fear of humans and deter them from neighborhood spaces such as backyards, streets and parks.

REMEMBER:

  • NEVER RUN FROM A COYOTE. This can activate a prey drive and encourage the coyote to chase and “catch” you.
  • If the coyote doesn’t leave at first, continue approaching him and/or increase the intensity of your hazing until he runs away. If he runs a short distance away and stops to look at you, continue hazing until he leaves the area completely.
  • If a coyote returns after you’ve successfully hazed him or her, continue to haze the coyote as you did before. It typically takes only one or two times to haze a coyote away for good.
  • Contact the authorities and DO NOT INTERACT with a coyote whom you suspect of being sick or injured.
  • This has to be a community wide effort and is most effective when hazed by a variety of people using a variety of hazing methods.
  • The coyote must be able to recognize the threat is coming from you, a person. Do not hide from the coyote, let them know YOU are the threat to them.

Show All Answers

1. What are the Animal Shelter's Operating Hours?
2. What are the shelter’s Service areas and Non-Service Areas?
3. Why can’t you take this animal?
4. What are your adoption fees and what is included in those fees?
5. How can I tell if my dog has rabies?
6. How can I help the shelter?
7. Can I volunteer at the Animal Shelter?
8. Where can I find a low cost spay or neuter program?
9. What can I do about barking dogs in my neighborhood? How can I report animals running loose in my neighborhood?
10. What do I do if my dog bites someone?
11. What are the shelter’s fees?
12. How do I adopt a pet?
13. How do I surrender a pet?
14. How do I reclaim my lost pet?
15. How do I foster a pet?
16. How do I see what pets are at the shelter?
17. How do I adopt livestock?
18. Are you going to euthanize it?
19. Is WPCAS a "No-Kill" shelter?
20. Is there pet licensing in Weatherford or Parker County?
21. What are the shelter's stray hold periods?
22. How do you make sure your pet’s microchip will help them get back home if they get lost?
23. What do I do when the shelter is closed and I have an animal related issue?
24. What is T-N-R?
25. How do I care for the Feral/Community Cats in my area?
26. What is the Vacuum Effect and why shouldn’t I just have the cats removed?
27. Do you lease traps and if so; for how much and how long?
28. How much will this citation cost?
29. How many pets can I have city/county?
30. Can I have a wild animal as a pet?
31. What do I do when I see a coyote?
32. Can I trap and relocate wildlife?
33. Can you provide pest control services?
34. What do I do if I get bit by an animal?
35. Where can I view all of our local animal laws and ordinances?
36. What vaccines are needed for my pet?
37. How often should I get my pets their rabies vaccines?
38. What are the surgery days for T-N-R?
39. Can you euthanize my pet?
40. My vet says I need to wait until my pet is 6 months old to spay/neuter, why does WPCAS require adopted pets to be spayed/neutered so early (pre-pubescent spay/neuter)?
41. Why should I spay or neuter my pet?