Coyote Alert!

Coyotes are a part of everyday life in the Valley, and sightings are not infrequent. Patch reader Angela Geary wrote in to let Encino residents know that she spotted a coyote in her neighborhood last week. She also mentioned that she has also heard one howling outside her home this week. Geary lives three blocks south of Ventura near Alonzo Avenue.

Project Coyote, a California-based organization that promotes peaceful coexistence with coyotes, and the Humane Society of the United States offer this advice on how to discourage coyotes from coming into urban areas:

1. Do not feed coyotes.

2. Keep your pet on a leash.

3. Supervise small pets and children, and keep your cats indoors.

4. If you have dogs that spend time in your fenced yard, you may want to invest in a Coyote Roller, a device that attaches to the top of a fence to stop coyote paws from getting a grip. Also, adding 6 inches of wire mesh to the bottom of your fence should deter coyotes from digging underneath.

5. Keep garbage, compost and pet food out of reach. Make sure your garbage can lids are on tight, and feed your cats and dogs indoors.

6. If faced with a coyote, act big and loud—shake a can of pennies, blow a whistle, wave your arms above your head. Such actions will reinforce their fear of humans, which is good for us and them.

7. Ask your neighbors to follow the above tips, too.

For previous Patch coverage on coyotes in the Valley, follow the links below.