Coyote Awareness
We have recently received several reports of coyote sightings in our neighborhood. It is important that all homeowners remain diligent to protect themselves and pets from coyotes who may be roaming the neighborhood.
When walking pets, be alert and ready to HAZE! What is hazing? Hazing simply means scaring a coyote away from you, your yard, or your neighborhood. Coyotes are members of the dog family, and just as we train our dogs to adopt good behavior, we can reinforce a coyote’s natural instinct to avoid people without harming them. Click here for more tips on hazing coyotes.
Other tips for pet owners:
Keep pets indoors when unattended
Always walk pets on leashes
Avoid retractable leashes
Pick up small pets if a coyote is spotted
Carry noisemakers to scare off coyotes
Remember key hazing techniques: get BIG, get LOUD and shout “GO AWAY COYOTE!”
Coyote recently spotted in our neighborhood.
Coyotes are indigenous to the Verdugo Mountains and sightings of them in Burbank residential areas are common during this time of year. Typically, coyotes are more active in the spring and early summer when caring for their young and in search of food and water. Coyotes are naturally fearful of humans, but they may become less apprehensive if given easy access to human food and garbage.
The following precautions have been provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to assist residents in communities where coyotes frequent:
Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes.
Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
Install motion-sensitive lighting or sprinklers around the house.
Trim ground level shrubbery to reduce hiding places.
If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
Do not leave pet food outside.
Bring pets in at night.
Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other small pets.
Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
Encourage your neighbors to follow these tips.
It’s important to remember that coyotes play a key role in the ecosystem by helping to keep rodent populations under control. Mindful consideration of the precautions listed above will create a manageable co-habitation between the City’s residents and local wildlife.
The Burbank Animal Shelter has provided additional information and resources related to coyotes, which can be found at https://www.burbankpd.org/coyotes. To report a coyote sighting in a residential neighborhood, please contact the Burbank Animal Shelter, at (818) 238-3340.