Coyotes Spotted in Neighborhood

Thanks Don L. for sharing this helpful information.
 
Coyotes hunt during the day in Spring to gather more food to feed their new pups. They are NOT likely to be rabid according to Georgia Wildlife Department, but exercise caution with any wild animal.  Coyotes will eat all small rodents, and pets if given the opportunity.  Do not leave small pets unattended. Further,  there have been no reported attacks of small children or adults.
 
Some tips:
  • Secure all trash in wildlife proof containers.
  • Leave pet food outside only long enough (20 minutes) for your pets to eat it.
  • Do not leave small pets (cats and dogs) outside unattended, especially at night.
  • Make loud noises to scare off coyotes who are getting too close for comfort.
  • If you see a bold or aggressive coyote, contact your regional Game Management office (see www.georgiawildlife.com for a list of regional offices). If the coyote runs off or stays a good distance from you, you do not need to contact anyone (except maybe your neighbor so they have the opportunity to see the coyote too).
  • Coyotes do not eat people. Coyote attacks are very rare. In fact, coyotes have never attacked a human, including children, in Georgia. You are far more likely to be bitten by your family dog than by a coyote.
  • Teach your children to never approach or touch wild animals or dogs without an owner's permission. A coyote can look like a lost dog to a child (or adult).
  • Coyotes howl, bark and yip to communicate to each other. They say many of the same things we do - “Hi! Good to see you!”, “Get out of my yard!”, “You're cute!”
  • Coyotes are nocturnal, but they are becoming more active during the day in urban areas.
  • Coyotes are opportunists and will eat anything they can catch or find from rodents to insects to rabbits to fruit. Humans are great food source for them – pet food left outdoors or in garages, unsecured garbage cans and unattended small pets. A bowl of dog food sitting on a deck is much easier to catch than a rabbit.
  • Coyotes that are habituated to humans and see us as a food source will more likely get close enough for someone or some pet to get hurt.
  • January & February are mating season for coyotes, so you are more likely to see or hear them then.
When the sightings become more frequent than they like, the neighbors pool their money and call a trapper to remove the animals and kill them, which the law allows.

Atlanta, Georgia coyote removal & coyote control.

Homeowners should eliminate any food sources, such as rats, that may be attractive to coyotes. Nuisance coyotes can be harassed with loud noises (shouting, or banging pots and pans) or spray from a garden hose to encourage them to avoid certain properties.
Pets can be protected by limiting their time outdoors, concentrating their outdoor activity to fenced areas under direct supervision. In addition, homeowners should eliminate other sources of attraction to coyotes including pet food left outdoors, table scraps, compost piles, and decaying fruit below fruit trees.
Homeowners should be aware that if they live near suitable habitat, electric fencing may be the only method to help eliminate coyotes from approaching their homes (coyotes are capable of climbing 8' fences or digging under them). In cases where coyotes approach humans or where human presence is high, capturing and removing the problem coyotes may be necessary.
11 alive link from may of 2012