Rancho Park Safety Alert: Coyote Sightings in and around Rancho Park, Westwood and West LA - Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe

[Orli Belman]

This is a post from last year, but I am reposting it today as I have gotten reports of coyote sightings and heard about several neighborhood cats who may have been killed by coyotes in recent weeks.

I've been getting a lot of emails about coyotes attacking cats and dogs in and around Rancho Park. Here are some safety tips courtesty of the Westwood South of Santa Monica Homeowners Association:

 

TIPS REGARDING SAFETY AND COYOTES:

* Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
* Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
* Bring pets in at night, and do not leave pet food outside.
* Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
* Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, etc.
* Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
* Ask your neighbors to follow these tips.

Coyotes are incredibly adaptive – able to figure out what people are doing and to take advantage whenever
food and water is left within range – so if you make sure they can’t find food or drink on your property, they
are far less likely to hang around. Coyotes are also capable of recognizing patterns of human behavior – if
they get used to seeing you walking your dog at 5pm each afternoon, they will expect to see you there
tomorrow, and may be inclined to show up then. This is why it is very smart to mix up such patterns, if you’ve
seen a coyote in the general neighborhood.

If you have a sighting of a coyote and are concerned, please make a "Wildlife Incident Report" to Animal
Services at [phone].

[Overland Avenue]

Our dead animal pick up guy, Craig, told us that a cat was nabbed from the 2200 block of Pelham last week, around 6 a.m., and dragged across Olympic Blvd, and eaten in the 2100 block of Pelham.  He said be on the lookout for a mother and cub.  Coyotes are generally out and about around dawn and at twilight.