West Seattle coyotes: Sunrise Heights sighting

Our tipster in Sunrise Heights took this photo from a distance – which is good, as getting too close to a coyote isn’t good for them or you, not because of danger, but because you don’t want them to get acclimated to close human contact – so it’s a bit blurry, but they wanted you to know about the sighting earlier this afternoon, near 29th and Othello (map). To make sure you know what to do if you see a coyote, check out the coexistence advice from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Meantime, browse our coyote-report coverage over the years, newest to oldest, on these archive pages.

5 Replies to "West Seattle coyotes: Sunrise Heights sighting"

  • z July 25, 2015 (6:57 pm)

    This is probably the same fella that was sauntering down 31st between Othello and Myrtle. He stopped when he noticed us and then headed back the way he came. The crows were giving him a hard time on Othello.

  • G July 25, 2015 (10:55 pm)

    Don’t be lulled into complacency with coyotes; there have been a series of incidents involving coyotes and children down here in LA, mostly minor biting and scratching, but scary nonetheless. Be careful.

  • quesera July 26, 2015 (4:53 pm)

    “not because of danger”…uh, yeah, I second what G said. Coyotes can in fact be dangerous. People need to stop seeing them as puppies who live outside. If they feel threatened, they may very well attack you. If they feel hungry, they may snatch your dog even though it is feet (or inches) away from you. There are documented cases of coyotes attacking and attempting to run off with infants and small children. But yes, do not get them comfortable with people. That’s how they get put on the “to shoot” list.

  • ltfd July 26, 2015 (5:46 pm)

    Worrying about dog bites/attacks makes sense; worrying about coyotes doesn’t make much sense.
    .
    Dog bites – how big is the problem? According to the CDC:
    – About 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year.
    – Almost one in five of those who are bitten, a total of 885,000, require medical attention for dog bite-related injuries.
    – In 2006, more than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.
    .
    Coyote attacks? According to one study (Coyote Attacks on Humans in the United States and Canada, White & Gehrt, 2009), there were 142 coyote “attacks” resulting in 159 victims bitten over a period of 46 years, 1960-2006. That’s about 3 per year. More good information can be found here- http://www.rockies.ca/coyotes/ecology.php
    .
    You should be much more worried about being struck by lightning than being attacked by a coyote. In the U.S. there are annually an estimated 360 injuries and 40 lightning fatalities (noaa.gov). Compare that to 3 coyote attacks per year and then to 4.5 million annual dog bites causing 30,000+ people to need surgery.
    .
    Life is short. Worry about dogs, then lightning, then coyotes.

  • Evergreen July 28, 2015 (9:12 am)

    Human density and land fragmentation have increased, so stats need to be taken in context. We may see increased sightings and eventually have more encounters, potentially negative, as they become acclimated to humans. I keep an eye on my smallest kiddo.

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