West Seattle coyotes: Dog owner reports ‘pack’ sighting

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Webdoxie shares this from her friend Kathryn, who wanted to get the word out ASAP but apparently can’t access WSB at work. This happened around 47th/Othello, north of Lincoln Park (map).

Scared me to death this morning, there was a pack of coyotes running down the hill on 47th. I think there were 3 or 4, they were moving fast so it was hard to tell. The only reason I heard them was their nails on the pavement and a shadow of what looked like a dog (Gulliver didn’t make a sound). Gulliver and I had just stepped out so he could go potty. By the time I realized what it was, I couldn’t even get the door open, we were setting on the porch. I thought they were running for a meal and it was my little man. Thank goodness they went past and were probably going home. … I walked with my zapper this morning just in case they were still out there.

Webdoxie explains that Gulliver is a Min-Pin “who usually tries to be as scary as he can when he sees other dogs. His stillness is another indication that they were coyotes.” Being “scary” is good advice for people, too, according to experts, when you see one or more coyotes – scroll down this state infopage to “Too Close for Comfort” for specific actions to take.

Mike October 17, 2011 (1:22 pm)

For those that wish to report sitings of coyotes they feel are dangerous: http://wdfw.wa.gov/enforcement/reporting_violations.html

I don’t mind them around, but if you fear for your safety with them around, take the time to fill out the report.

cj October 17, 2011 (2:04 pm)

If they are coyotes they probably wont hurt you unless you try to corner them, if they were dogs they would be more dangerous. Also there are a lot of people lately who are letting dogs run loose in L Park.

kate October 17, 2011 (2:24 pm)

Send the coyotes to my yard! I have rats, stray cats, voles, and a fresh water pond with fish. It’s practically an “all you can eat” buffet for coyotes.

JW October 17, 2011 (2:50 pm)

We live in Arbor Heights and have seen coyotes on several occasions. Never in pack, always alone, and they run very fast. They seemed to be scared of us, or we startled them. We saw them twice while walking our small dog (pug). And another few times while driving through the neighborhood at night.

Aman October 17, 2011 (2:54 pm)

A friend in the North Admiral neighborhood residing one- block due west of the Hamilton Viewpoint told me this morning that their cat suddenly went missing. Apparently this is the 3rd lost neighborhood cat in the past few months. The cause of the vanishing cats remains a mystery. However, their disappearance coincides with recent increased coyote sightings in the area.

Mr. Suave October 17, 2011 (3:16 pm)

Saturday afternoon I saw a sole coyote running up the sidewalk on Trenton, just east of 16th Ave SW. I was surprised to see it out and about so early in the day, and in such a populated area. usually only see them in the early morning or near dark in the evening.

DiverLaura October 17, 2011 (4:50 pm)

Ah, that makes sense…. Lucy has been totally barky the last few evenings with hackles up in the back yard (which is rather unusual for her) and randomly growling… always barking in the direction of Schmitz creek, and thought i heard some yipping…

datamuse October 17, 2011 (5:41 pm)

Mr. Suave: I saw one in the same general area while on a bike ride a week ago. Guess he might be denning somewhere around there.
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This morning I heard from a neighbor that they saw one in their yard. It’s been awhile since I’d seen one in the Highland Park area, even though we’re right next to a ginormous forest.

tk October 17, 2011 (8:06 pm)

I still think it’s a shame that we can’t let our dogs loose to control the population and protect our children and small animals. Dogs have been serving this purpose for 10k years!

datamuse October 17, 2011 (8:41 pm)

Every time I encounter a loose dog it chases me down the street.
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Perhaps I resemble a coyote.

Mike October 17, 2011 (8:45 pm)

Most likely was a family, not a pack. My understanding is that coyotes hang together in family units, not packs. Could be wrong.

nw ryan October 17, 2011 (9:38 pm)

They are just coyotes. Harmless unless you leave a small pet out on their own overnight. There are no packs in west Seattle. Time to get out if the city once in a while.

Jbar October 17, 2011 (10:17 pm)

My husband chased a coyote down our street tonight…42nd in upper Fauntleroy. He said it was ” huge” and casually walking on the side walk.

Mom08 October 17, 2011 (10:46 pm)

Our neighbor says she saw one running north on our block (33rd ave sw) last week midday…which is kinda scary having a small child who often plays outside, he is also always with a parent but just makes me a little uneasy…

metrognome October 18, 2011 (12:12 am)

ok, I give up … what the heck is a Min-Pin?

datamuse — were you chasing a Road Runner or carrying a box of Acme dynamite??

tk October 18, 2011 (12:32 am)

Datamuse, well stop running away from them! Lol

Errol October 18, 2011 (3:05 am)

Kinda cool if you ask me.

GAnative October 18, 2011 (9:45 am)

@metrognome – a Min-Pin is a Miniature Pinscher looks like a Doberman but only about a foot tall.

JTF LT October 18, 2011 (7:51 pm)

All summer there was a family of coyotes running around the Joint Training Facility at Myers way S. Mom and three pups. I havent seen them in a while, maybe it’s the same family?

Errol October 19, 2011 (3:35 am)

They are howling and yipping now at 3:30 a.m. Wednsday morning.

Daniella October 28, 2011 (11:30 pm)

I saw one big coyote yesterday morning at Hanford and 37th Ave SW, 5.30am. It nearly attacked my Jack Russell. A passing car scared it away. I couldn’t stop shaking for an hour after that.

Sorry, comment time is over.