Found a coyote, I think

[k0ua]

Yes they can. Just like any other dog. But it's illegal for vets to treat them or give them rabies shots. And if a coyote does get a rabies shot, it can't be proved, like with a dog tag or papers filed with the county, etc. So if Sandy, for instance, was to scratch or bite someone while living with us, she would be killed and disected to look for rabies. That was the biggest danger to keeping her. One complaint to Animal Control and she would be killed.

Coyotes are legally just considered "wildlife", meaning they are on their own and should be left alone. They can be helped if abandoned or injured, but only by a licensed wildlife center such as Southwest Wildlife.

Sandy is a special case because she was found abandoned and nearly dead at only a day or two old. Liye saved her and or dog Beibei helped raise her. She is naturally very friendly and not aggressive. It's an unusual case and she could not be returned to the wild because she was unprepared to hunt and only mildly cautious around people. If she was out in the forest somewhere and came up to a passer-by for help, she would likely be shot either for fun or because she would be misunderstood.

Most folks, it seems, either think coyotes are good for target practice or should all be exterminated.

Her story helps demonstrate that there is a lot more to them than we may realize. However, it is a bad idea to try to domesticate one, as not all of them are friendly, their behaviour is directly related to when they were taken from the litter, it's illegal and you are not likely to get medical help if needed for them. And, of course, the rabies shot problem I already mentioned.

Sandy is nearly the same as a domestic dog. Friendly, fun, intuitive, extremely smart and dedicated to her pack mates. She is aware of the hierarchy of the family, or pack structure. She understands hunting strategy. She carries coyote traits like being cautious and looking for the intention in people she meets. She invents keep-away games, has a sense of humor and is very curious. She is an excellent companion and wants to be included, while having a cat-like independence. She makes various sounds, but doesn't really bark. She expresses herself in dog-like ways that people and other dogs understand, so she can meet and interact with other dogs and people. She has no idea how vulnerable she is and lives life to the fullest, in the moment, with joy. If she didn't look like a coyote, she could likely fit in as a family dog and be fine for life. But her appearance gives her away first and leads to all the other problems.

I just want to re-stress that Sandy is a unique case and nobody should think that all coyotes will act like her. Some might, or probably will, given the same upbringing from two days old, and being female, but it's not a good idea to expect that or look for one. It most likely will bring a lot of problems and a sad end.

I've really enjoyed hearing about the coy-dogs mentioned in this thread. Dragoneggs' story is the perfect example. I am keeping my eye open for one myself and have actually looked into it a bit. I met a woman who had one and her story was touching too. A fine dog and lovely companion, but that dog came to her injured and abused. They are not easy to find.

All of this is why Sandy's story is so interesting, she is a window into a world we know so little about. She is unexpectedly endearing, fun and a great companion, while teaching us so much. Its a situation very few will ever experience. I've learned a tremendous amount and we will always be friends.

Excellent well thought out write up on the situation.

 

[plowhog]

This has been a wonderful story which I have mostly followed. I wish we had a positive experience with Coyotes, but we do not.

We are dog lovers, but fear the coyote packs around here will take down our Golden Retriever. Our dog would love to run through our pastures and romp and roam at the creek and pond. Instead, we keep him always on a leash for his own protection. I've studied the coyote predatory behavior and it's not the single coyote that is a threat, since our dog is likely bigger. It is our dog chasing a single coyote-- right into meeting the full pack once over a ridge or into the forest. Then it is game over very quickly.

The coyotes here are prevalent, overpopulated, and howl all night, often waking us up.

Our neighbor recently heard yipping and went outside to find his dog in the jaws of a coyote. After a chase through brush, he got his dog back although a bit chewed up. Had the coyote ran along the road instead of the brush he likely would not have gotten his dog back. Two deer on a neighbor property were recently taken down. Unless it was a cougar, it was likely the coyotes.

Attached is a photo of a coyote at our property that is particularly brazen. He's been in the front yard, barn, and driveway. I have not shot any animal for decades, but regrettably this particular one might meet his fate one of these days or nights if I can get a bead on him. I believe he represents a threat to my dog's life since he is so brazen.

Congrats on the wonderful experience and great long term story. I hope we can have some positive coyote thoughts sometime as well.

 

[Raspy]

Plow,

Thanks for your note. Yours is definitely the other side of the coyote story and a hard problem to solve. I've obviously been focused on other behaviours and there is clearly a lot more to the story than what I have written about.

We hear them quite often too, but they haven't become a menace to domestic animals here that I know of, yet. With more of them, that could become a problem here too. One reason it might not be a problem here is that we have a lot of deer and rabbits. Lots of them. Ten to twenty deer will wander through the yard in the evening and we are constantly seeing rabbits everywhere. The human population is low too, with everyone on at least five acres, lots of BLM land and hay fields. Our dog and cat stay in at night.

Another behaviour that I have seen and my friend has also seen, is coyotes taking up residence at turnouts or wide spots along the highway. Standing out in the open and accepting handouts from passserby motorists. The one I saw doing this was in Death Valley and he looked a bit rough. But he had found a way to get by in that harsh environment.

It turns out that the farther north you go, out west anyway, the larger they are. Sandy is a bit larger than average amongst the ones form Arizona and she came from about 700 miles north of Scottsdale. The farther south the hotter and harsher the environment and the harder it is to survive when bigger.

 

[ning]

The coyotes around here have a deep respect for guns... When one is getting too interested in what my chickens are doing from the other side of the fence, a couple shots in its general direction with the little .22 make them scram and it's weeks before I see them again (though they're still around, just not brazenly considering daylight action). I don't aim to hit; not sure if they know a bullet came by 20 feet away or not but the gun crack definitely gets them moving.

 

[plowhog]

If your rabbit population is that large then the coyotes probably have easy meals with little need to expand their food choices and little need to harass pets or other wildlife.

People who voluntarily feed wildlife, predators or not, are usually doing nothing but harm. At some point that barely-making-it coyote in the desert is likely going to end up in a confrontation with a child or family enjoying some food.

Years ago people would throw food out their windows at the roadside bears in Yellowstone Park. It didn't take too long before the bears started getting aggressive-- getting into cars to find the ice chest. So then the bear is killed as a nuisance. But it was the humans who caused it.

 

[dragoneggs]

I've really enjoyed hearing about the coy-dogs mentioned in this thread. Dragoneggs' story is the perfect example. I am keeping my eye open for one myself and have actually looked into it a bit. I met a woman who had one and her story was touching too. A fine dog and lovely companion, but that dog came to her injured and abused. They are not easy to find.

I still contend that the best dog I ever had or been around was Nikki our Coy-Dog. Only one data point so I really can't speak for the breed other than to say if I ever get the chance to take another one in, I would do it in a heartbeat!

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Thank you for the story, Raspy. As someone who also ended up rescuing and raising and loving a wild animal, I believe it is a unique experience. Who knew they were so intelligent, so passionate, so intuitive? I'm convinced there's a lot more to these animals than we can perhaps ever know. There is something pure and vital there. I love all animals, have loved many dogs/cats/horses/etc. deeply, but IMO our domestic animals have definitely *lost* something in the process of being domesticated.

Anyhow, it's a beautiful story, and I'm happy Sandy found a safe harbor and is living a happy life.

 

[gwstang]

Coyotes have decimated the deer herd by killing almost all the fawns in my area. I have a large group that lives on the backside of my property/neighbors property. When they start up yapping and howling just about dark, it's time to bring the pups in or they will be dinner. They come out on both sides of my house just yapping up something fierce. Can't see them in the dark though. I'll usually go out and pop off a couple 9mm rounds and they shut up and go elsewhere for awhile. Even my wife's two cats know to come inside about dark, they are very wary about the 'yotes.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Coyotes have decimated the deer herd by killing almost all the fawns in my area. I have a large group that lives on the backside of my property/neighbors property. When they start up yapping and howling just about dark, it's time to bring the pups in or they will be dinner. They come out on both sides of my house just yapping up something fierce. Can't see them in the dark though. I'll usually go out and pop off a couple 9mm rounds and they shut up and go elsewhere for awhile. Even my wife's two cats know to come inside about dark, they are very wary about the 'yotes.

That's true too..... I hate the killing, either way.

 

[Sigarms]

Coyotes have decimated the deer herd by killing almost all the fawns in my area.

Genearlly speaking, nature and the animals that reside in her live in balance. It's also generally something that man does that throws that balance off.