Fri, 30 Oct 2009

How dangerous are coyotes?

In the humble opinion of this heathen farm boy, the article is both right and wrong. Right in the sense that coyotes are naturally human avoiders, and we (humans) are certainly in more danger from pit bulls and other feral dog breeds. My sheep are in danger of both.

It's wrong in that feral domestic dogs, which are dumped in the country with amazing frequency, can and do breed with coyotes. "Coy-dogs", they're called around here, and they can and have attacked people and livestock. That's the real danger. Packs of these half-breed critters have cut and brought down grown bulls as well as kids on bicycles.

The problem would be solved if only city folks would stop driving out to the country and dumping litters of unwanted puppies. But that, of course, would mean wholesale reform of our animal welfare system.

I'm not holding my breath, but I am buying more ammo.

Coyote populations are growing, in the wild as well as in populated areas where they hunt for pets and garbage. But attacks are rare and, statistically speaking, coyotes are far less of a threat than pit bulls.

(link) [Christian Science Monitor]

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