Give me a break. Please…

Once again, people overreact to the preconceived mythical notions that has been spread about this species. If people are so concerned about the real dangers of this animal they should spend a few moments reading online from credible sources about the coyote's behavioural habits to better protect themselves and their pets.

I'll copy/paste what I answered in a former article in hopes that those who are interested are better informed should they encounter the coyote.

The coyote is not considered a threat to humans (unless provoked) which is why neither SPD or Animal Control will respond. Even though they are predators, they are also opportunistic eaters. Meaning it's the pet owner's responsibility to keep their small pets inside as well as take up all outside food sources. Therefore if you are out walking with your dog and are approached by the coyote, just make a lot of noise (wave/flail your arms making yourself appear larger) and it will move on – just be certain to not corner it to avoid provocation.

We have a lot of mountain beavers in Magnolia and this is likely one of the reasons why the coyote is sticking around. When the food source is depleted the coyote will look elsewhere for food.

Additionally, diet studies in urban regions reveal that the coyotes principle diet in the PNW is composed of small rodents, birds, insects, and fruits and berries of wild plants and even carrion and unlike what people believe, rarely garbage and cats. Analyzed scats of coyotes in urban regions indicated that cat was the least eaten food item in their diet and rodents were highest.

Myths, truths and facts about coyotes:
http://www.electrapetdetective.com/coyote.htm

You can also do an online search on “coyote diet in urban areas” and it will pull up a significant listing of scientific ecology studies conducted.

Yep,

Sounds just like my dog (“freaking out”) when we are walking through our neighborhood and there is another unfenced dog ahead of us in our path.

The only difference with this “news story” is that the complainant didn't continue walking, causing the coyote to move/give way. Most of the time, an off-leash/unsupervised dog won't completely get out of my pathway as I approach with my dog. However, the three times that I have encountered a coyote sitting on the sidewalk ahead of us, it has moved out of our way, only coming back to the sidewalk to sniff scent after we have passed.

Twice I have had a coyote follow us after we have passed- just like the hundreds of times I have been followed by unleashed dogs after we passed.

Don't get your panties in a bunch.

How about just walking away and ignoring the coyote? It won't chase or hurt you and you don't need to throw cans, rocks, or stand your ground. Just let it be.

Coyotes are highly intelligent and as with all smart animals they are intent watchers of the world around them. I imagine you posed quite a spectacle with your dog freaking out, you trying to find something to throw and the neighbor out on her deck giving advice. Keep in mind nothing much very exciting happens in Magnolia anyway.

Really? Really? As the person who had this encounter in an alley with no ready exit to another street or into a building AND as someone who has never seen a live coyote all any of you have to tell me is “Don't get your panties in a bunch”?!?!?!

Well screw all of you. It was a very frightening moment because before I noticed it, I was obviously continuing to walk toward it and all the coyote did was stand there. Then I stopped and it also stood there. Then I backed up in order to let it be, AND IT FOLLOWED ME.

Sorry, I don't care how opportunistic they are as eaters, if a wild animal that can cause quite a bit of pain starts to follow me, I am going to do all I can to get it to leave the vicinity.

I can not believe you freaking know it all assholes. A person has a frightening experience and all you do is call me names and deride me. I'm sorry if I am not as experienced as you all with the things, but that's the way it is. If you're not actually 16 year olds, it's time to grow up and appreciate the fact that other people have different perspectives than you.

By the way, this is utter crap:
“Therefore if you are out walking with your dog and are approached by the coyote, just make a lot of noise (wave/flail your arms making yourself appear larger or even throw objects towards it's direction) and it will move on; just be certain to not corner it to avoid provocation and back away slowly, but don't turn your back on it and run which will only encourage it to chase you.”

This is EXACTLY what I did.

It's sad that the dog was killed. But it was reported by a news crew on the scene that the dog approached the coyote rather than the coyote coming after the dog. Is this correct, and was the dog not on a leash?

What difference does it make how the interaction began?! You really are all jerks! Oh, and to the assholes that don't want to read about the coyote anymore, why are you reading this? News flash – it's not all about you, jerks. If you aren't interested, stop reading about it! Amazing the knuckle dragging assholes living among us.

This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and did not know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you