New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“With an increase of coyote interactions all over the news lately, many of us with small pets are feeling frightened, unsure of what we can do to protect ourselves and our pets. We are here to arm you with knowledge so that you can feel confident in your ability to avoid conflict with coyotes.
Here are several simple steps you can do to minimize your chances of experiencing coyote and other wildlife encounters:
• **Never** feed a wild animal.
• Keep trash securely covered, or indoors.
• If you grill/cook outside, make sure the area is well cleaned and covered so the smell does not attract wildlife.
• Feed pets inside – if you must feed them outside, supervise outdoor feedings and keep area clean.
• Keep cats/dogs indoors, and supervise them while outdoors – even in a fenced yard.
• If you see a sick or injured animal, report to your local animal officials.
If you do come across a coyote, you should attempt to make loud noises, and leave the area calmly (do not run). If a coyote is in your yard, let the coyote know that they are not welcome by yelling, making loud noises (like banging pots and pans together), spray them with a hose, toss tennis balls near the animal – you want to scare them away so they think of our yards as hostile places to be.
Coyotes are part of the New England landscape and they are here to stay. They do not know the difference between our pets and the wildlife that makes up their diet, like small animals and birds. Coyotes do not go after pets on purpose, so please do not give them a reason to come to your neighborhood.
For more information on how to coexist with coyotes, visit mspca.org/coyotes.
#WildlifeWednesday #KeepWildlifeWild #Coyotes #Massachusetts.” -MSPCA-Angell.
