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There are way too many missing cats and dogs

Started 1 year ago by thansen
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thansen
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We live in Westwood and every day there are 3 or 4 more missing cat/dog signs. Are you seeing the same in your area?

Posted 1 year ago #
Carson
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As I posted, there are also several in Admiral, and I am sure its the Coyote since it sure seems to have spiked recently as well as the sighting.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSB
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I discussed this on Twitter today. Received four lost-cat reports today alone. Working on a story about converting outdoor cats to indoor cats, because seriously, people might want to consider it if they haven't already. As you will see if you browse our "coyotes" coverage category, they are not only in greenbelts. We've received reports from neighborhoods that are mostly concrete for blocks around.

Not to mention, they're not the only threat to outdoor pets. Cars, raccoons, etc.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSeaFam2
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I live just up from SE of Westwood Village and we have seen several coyotes in our neighborhood one morning my husband went to pull the car from our garage and came face to face with one at dawn. Last fall we also had a cougar walk across our yard in the middle of the night. So people should do their best to keep small animals inside in the dark hours, as I am sure they are becoming part of the natural food chain (sad) but true. Also, all of the stray cats,racoons, opossums we used to see in our area are gone :( BTW I did report these sightings to animal control.

Posted 1 year ago #
ToddinWestwood
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12205178/

i hope its not true, but i tend to believe the animal world more than the digital one. :)

Posted 1 year ago #
Rayne
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I reported an incident to animal control this morning. I found the remains of a cat that had obviously been eaten by a coyote. It was at 49th & Dawson so I hope my neighbors keep their pets indoors tonight.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSeaFam2
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Animal control told me that the coyotes we spoted were just apart of the greenbelt natural habitat above highland park and that animal control will not do anything about them unless they are a danger to humans What they suggested was we keep our cats indoors between dusk and dawn when the coyotes are most active

Posted 1 year ago #
WSB
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We've had more than a few broad-daylight sightings too. Including the one and only one we've had in front of our house (photos taken, spring 2008, in the coyote coverage archive).

Posted 1 year ago #
Gina
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Converting my cat to an outdoors only on a leash animal has certainly cut down on the vet bills. And she gets quite a bit of exercise jumping up and down trying to escape her harness.

She became an indoor cat the day I saw 3 raccoons in the fenced yard at 1 in the afternoon.

Posted 1 year ago #
homedk
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I do think that frequency of coyote sightings & evidence of coyotes nearby have increased. One reported daylight sighting (in mid-June) was in front of our house & I spotted one at night standing under a street light, obviously not concerned about being illuminated (in late May). Today our neighbors reported that they found a dead squirrel in their back yard; it had been partially consumed by another animal, presumably a coyote.
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One thing that I think may contribute to the increase in coyotes in this area is the increase in vacant homes & the increase in overgrown areas within residential neighborhoods. In my own block there are several vacant houses & I see this in other West Seattle neighborhoods as well. It seems like there are also more yards with places for coyotes & other urban wildlife to hide (fewer traditional lawns, more "water features", & more yards that don’t get used very often).
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I would be interested in learning more about why experts think we are seeing more of them. I'd also like to hear suggestions for legal, effective & humane ways to deter them from moving into the neighborhoods & redirect them back into the greenbelts (if that's possible).

Posted 1 year ago #
WSeaFam2
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Well let's be honest we are in thier territory not the other way around despite what we want to believe. The greenbelt and animals were native to this area long before we were building houses and apartments which first boxed them in and now we are slowly or quickly in some cases taking what little land they have to run free. What choice do they have to try and feed and live?

Posted 1 year ago #
Jiggers
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I'm sure its time to shoot the coyotes now huh?

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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there is a simple solution if you don't want your pet to become part of the food chain...

give them fully fenced yards in the daytime.
for a cat that means a play yard that also has a roof
and keep them indoors at night.

my pups are fierce fighters..
but after seeing them take on racoons
and paying the vet bills
i sleep better when they are safely indoors at night.

they do too.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSeaFam2
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JoB I fully agree with you ;)

Posted 1 year ago #
TDe
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You know, I love animals and have a great deal of respect for wildlife... and I can co-exist with wild animals to a point. But, when wildlife numbers increase so much that they jeopardize the safety of our pets on a daily basis, I think they need to be driven back to the wild.

I know we've encroached on a lot of wildlife habitat, but now they are encroaching on ours. I know they are creatures of the earth, but so am I and so are my pets and I don't recall a time in West Seattle when I worried as much about cats or small dogs going outside after dark like I do now. I actually lived outside a small mountain town for some years and never had to deal with wild animals grabbing my pets, like now in West Seattle.

People began hanging together a long time ago for mutual support, protection, socialization, cooperation, etc., and eventually we morphed those small units into towns and cities. Here in West Seattle our mutual protection is eroding somewhat as the coyotes, who are just as opportunistic as we are, are moving into our protective circles and killing our "livestock"... OK that's an exaggeration, but you know what I mean.

Since it's difficult to have a reasonable conversation with a coyote about changing their habits and it's clear they are going to continue to take the easiest route to food, because that's what they do, I personally think it's time to humanely trap and re-locate some of these critters and I'm more than happy to pay a little extra tax for such a program. I'm just not thrilled about finding pieces of half-eaten pets in my neighborhood and there's plenty of space and food in the Cascades for a few more coyotes.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSeaFam2
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First I am not sure why any small dog would be out by itself in an unfenced yard at night without a leash, which is how harm would come to it. And second it is a true fact that cats that live indoors live about twice as long as those who go out of doors. This is due to disease, cars, and predators'. While I am not saying it is right or wrong to have outdoor cats I am simply pointing this out. So to me this is not an arguement to "humanely trap and re-locate" something that has a right to be here.

Maybe we should stop tearing down or pairing back every area they have to roam and feed and this will not be an issue anymore... Plus Animal Control takes a stand that it is your responsibility to ensure your pets are safe from the coyotes, and they will not relocate them unless they are a danger to humans.

Posted 1 year ago #
Jiggers
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TDe.. The safety of YOUR pets relies heavily on its owners common sense. Not the wild animals ability to (re)think of what's right or wrong when it sees an oppurtunity for a tasty meal. lol

Posted 1 year ago #
TDe
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I'm not sure it makes sense to wait until someone walking their dog in the evening in a city neighborhood is attacked by a coyote. These are wild animals and they will do what they do in order to eat. I know that's a slim possibility, but it has happened. When domestic dogs pack up and start roaming the streets at night killing pets, animal control is all over it. And yes, we have encroached on coyote habitat. But we live in a big city where the attraction to easy food encourages them to hang around and thrive. Co-existing with a few coyotes here and there is one thing, but they seem to be getting bolder and more numerous. Do we wait until one of them steps over the line into human injury and then we have to kill it? That seems more cruel to me than moving them before their population becomes really large and the problem becomes worse.

Posted 1 year ago #
homedk
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I know that many have strong opinions about keeping cats indoors, but that isn’t necessarily a simple solution in all cases. It might be simple if one is starting out with kittens or with some fairly mellow cats. But, some cats that have grown used to spending time outdoors will often act out if they are not allowed their outdoor freedom; that could be minor grumbling & could dissipate over time. Alternatively, it could involve spraying/marking territory & other unpleasant litterbox issues that turn into ongoing bad habits. It could also involve lashing out at other pets in the household, especially if there are multiple cats that suddenly find themselves in close quarters with fewer activities & distractions.
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My point is that there are complexities to this issue & every case is not simple. There are many reasons that someone might choose to let their cats spend time outdoors...& it does not have to do with lack of caring or because of ignorance. For example, I know of some people who dearly love their cats, but someone in the household has allergies that worsen if the cats spend too much time indoors. Some owners spend long hours or days away at work; an indoor-only cat in that situation could get incredibly lonely & bored; whereas cats that come & go as they please have been good companions.
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I’ve had cats that were strictly indoors & those that were allowed outside. There are pros & cons to both decisions. A definite downside for many indoor cats is that they don't usually get enough exercise & often suffer from diseases related to sedentary behavior & overeating. If they accidentally get outside, they are very vulnerable because they don't have street-smarts.

Posted 1 year ago #
TDe
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I agree Jiggers. My pets are safely tucked away in my fenced yard and home. But, coyotes will take the opportunity to eat when it's dinner time, no matter what... that's just what they do. :)

Posted 1 year ago #
WSeaFam2
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My husband has come out in the morning to find a coyote in our yard and it was as startled and afraid as my husband. Also I have not recently heard of roaming bands of domestic dogs killing pets in West Seattle, if I do then I will be concerned. I think there are so many other real issues in this world that could take more of our time that are not as easy to resolve which could be dwelled upon.

Posted 1 year ago #
TDe
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You don't hear of roaming bands of domestic dogs killing pets because we have animal control to regulate domestic dogs... and that's a good thing! If it were to happen, animal control would be all over it. That's my point... Why is it OK for coyotes to roam around killing pets, when it's not OK for cougars, bears, mountain lions, domestic dogs or even humans to roam around city neighborhoods killing pets?

I know there are more pressing issues to resolve - there will always be more pressing issues, but half eaten cat remains in my front yard has made me just a little queasy about wily coyote. That's all.

Posted 1 year ago #
Carson
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TDe, I think because Cougars, Bears, Mountain Lions (and maybe domestic dogs in packs) all have a history of attacking humans. Sure, Coyotes have, but not normally. With limited resources you address immediate threats firsts, secondary threats when and if you have the resources. They don't have the resources so the answer in simple.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSeaFam2
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I can see how finding an animal dead in your yard would be destressing and I am sorry you had to endure that. I am heart broken when ever I see something like this anywhere and would not be capable of disposing of the body :(

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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TDe..

lone coyote sightings are the norm..
not roaming bands..

and a coyote faced with a threatening human and a leashed dog...
will almost always go find something easier to eat..

Posted 1 year ago #
Jiggers
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Right JoB... A coyote will not approach or attack a human with its pet unless it was surprised upon.

Posted 1 year ago #
anonyme
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Pets are not safe roaming freely in the city, and coyotes are far down on the list of dangers. It would not surprise me if coyotes were soon as urbanized as raccoons. I've heard of coyotes following people, but they were probably looking for handouts. I saw a pet dog kill a coyote pup in full view of the den a few years ago. The other coyotes did not intervene.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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i wondered when it would be mentioned that in this economy petnappers are a much larger threat than coyotes...

Posted 1 year ago #
anonyme
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It's probably the chupacabras. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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anonyme..

if only they would stop setting off fireworks and frightening the furry kids away...

Posted 1 year ago #
anonyme
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JoB, my thoughts exactly.

Posted 1 year ago #
Under Achiever
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I understand the romantic attraction of having wildlife cavorting amongst us but coyotes, cute as they may be, are predators. They are hard wired to predate beasts lower on the food chain no matter the urban/suburban/rural conditions. To a coyote your cat or dog is exactly the same edible target as a rat or possum or squirrel -- maybe an easier target as a domesticated cat or dog wouldn't put up as much of a fight. In our urban environment coyotes have nothing to fear and will continue to grow in population. Eventually they will have to be controlled in some manner - especially when become less fearful of humans. And they will lose their fear.

Lets look at it this way -- if a neighbor's dog attacked, killed and devoured your pet cat or dog you'd probably call police/animal control and demand the dangerous dog be put down. Why do coyotes get a pass?

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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under achiever...

who said they get a pass?

but... why should the coyote get killed because humans want to deceive themselves into thinking their pet can defend themselves outside at night?

Your pet's safety isn't the coyote's responsibility.

Posted 1 year ago #
Under Achiever
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@ JoB --

You are very correct. My responsibility is only mine and the coyote is looking out for its own self interests. Please explain that to my friend who's dachshund was taken and eaten by a coyote in the middle of the day from their fenced yard. To the best of my knowledge the dachshund was minding his business sleeping in the sun. The coyote was looking to feed his/her family.

There is a place for coyotes to exist and flourish. In my opinion and experience the city isn't one of them.

Posted 1 year ago #
TDe
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JoB... no one is saying they should be killed. Relocation, like we've relocated Cougars and bears, etc. is what I'm advocating. What's wrong with that? My concern is that the coyote population will continue to grow wherever they have a free and easy food source (like West Seattle neighborhoods) and problems will expand with the growth in their numbers.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSeaFam2
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I think one of the best parts of living in WS is the mix of urban living and wildlife. I am so sick of hearing people complain about coyotes, racoons, opossums, and other assorted critters. Look it is a part of nature and our world you have no more of a right to be here than they do, you just have more power to remove them for your benifit.

Be a responsible per owner turn off the tv and walk your pet on a leash or be outside with it while it is exercising or sunning itself. I guarentee your dog/cat will love having you there.

Posted 1 year ago #
KBear
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Relocating the coyotes wouldn't help. Others would just move in. We chose to move into the coyotes' natural habitat. They belong here, just as much as the trees, the water, and the fish. If you choose to keep alien wildlife (i.e. pets) on your property, it is your responsibility to keep them secure. If that means keeping them inside the house when you're not around, so be it. If you can't manage the responsibility, don't get a pet.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSeaFam2
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Well said KBear I could not agree more, of course in a world where people will not even take responsibility for them-selves or children they bring into the world what do we expect? No one wants to take personal responsibility anymore for anything Sad sad world in that respect sigh...

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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wildlife habitat is another name for those natural areas that make life here in West Seattle so special.

Under achiever.. i am so sorry your friend lost their dachshund but fences need to be secure enough to keep critters out as well as keep pets in.

Sorting through over a hundred rental properties to find secure fencing for my little escape artists convinced me that most fences look more secure than they are.

i doubt there is a fence high enough or secure enough to keep out raccoons..
but keeping coyotes out is relatively easy.

Posted 1 year ago #
homedk
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What I hope to see evolve from this thread are some tangible ideas & solutions as to how we could come together as a neighborhood or as a community to keep coyotes from preying on our pets & getting a stronger foothold in our neighborhoods. As with most efforts & causes, for some of you it's a non-issue; for others of us who are only a "stone's throw" away from the recent sightings, it's much more relevant. Our neighborhood has seen a large increase from only one or two coyote sightings per year, a handful at most. In the past, sightings were never in broad daylight. Co-existing with nature worked fine as a philosophy then, but it doesn't work so well when the coyotes are here on a frequent basis leaving the remains from their latest meal on the neighbor's lawn.
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As I noted earlier, I attribute the change to many more vacant & overgrown properties, more places for coyotes & other things to hide. There is one home in the “coyote zone” along 37th, where the owner has not done any yard work since he bought the home several years ago; there could be colonies of coyotes (or Chuppies) in that yard. There are other properties nearly as bad, although many of those are vacant. Cumulatively, I think this type of neglect contributes to a decline in the safety of our neighborhoods. Do any of you have any effective ways of dealing with this?
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While it is true that in general habitat for wild animals has dwindled, housing starts & new construction have decreased in the past couple of years…so I don’t think the sudden increase in coyote sightings is just due to recent displacement. But, I’d be interested to know what experts feel has changed. I’d also be interested to know if this spike in sightings & missing pets could be attributed to a small number of new coyotes – or is it indicative of larger numbers?
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If any of you have had experience with coyotes in the past, do you know if motion-detector lights or sprinklers have any effect? Are wind-chimes or things that make random noises effective? Other ideas?

Posted 1 year ago #
anonyme
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An overgrown lot or yard is much more likely to attract rats than coyotes - frankly, I'd much rather have the coyotes, as they are natural predators of non-native rats and mice. Other non-native species? Cats and dogs. Most overbred species? Homo sapiens.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

homedek..

it's easy
remove the food source..

if pets are kept in secure yards
and/or supervised when outside
and are inside at night
the food source is gone

coyotes will go back to hunting rats
it's a win win for all of us

Posted 1 year ago #
TDe
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I have a question: Where exactly could we move where we wouldn't be encroaching on a coyote's natural habitat?

I'm astonished that they have become bold enough to run down city streets in the daylight hours. Like homedk, I would like to know if these sightings and missing pets are indicative of larger numbers. Maybe we should call for a West Seattle coyote census. :)

Posted 1 year ago #
anonyme
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TDe: I don't think coyotes have penetrated Central Manhattan yet.

Coyotes aren't the only urban predators of bite-size pets, such as dachshunds. Eagles, also prevalent in West Seattle, have been know to snatch small pets from their yards as well.

The only way that coyotes and other formerly reclusive, wild species (such as cougars)will return to their former way of life is if the human species begins to control it's own population explosion and the environmental devastation and loss of habitat that goes along with it.

Posted 1 year ago #
BBGuest
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As an animal lover, I silently cried while 3 men on my bus exchanged stories on how they torture animals. I covered my ears and still could not block the conversations. I was paralyzed in shock.

I will not be specific because anyone that reads this will never be able to get the images out of their mind. There is no shortage of dogs and cats, and the one guy says his 'old lady' wants to do the video. Hamster something is where you watch them.

I reported the time, descriptions,bus stops, and event to Metro. They may or may not have cameras on that bus. In order for something to take place, the police must contact them directly. So, I reported to the police.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
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anonyme..

i think i remember once seeing a pic of a coyote in upper Manhattan...

plenty of rats for a food source there
and a short jog back to the park for a coyote:)

Posted 1 year ago #
funkietoo
Member Profile

OMG BBGuest. Thank you for reporting to the police in such an accurate, timely fashion.

In regards to protecting our pets...I have outdoor enclosures, with tops, for my cats and soon will have elevated cat-a-trails. They are safe from predators and people that would steal them or poison them. Enclosures are not expensive to build.

Posted 1 year ago #
anonyme
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JoB -- now that you mention it, I think I heard that, too. How about a houseboat?

On another tack, but I once read a wonderful Watership Down-esque tale about coyotes called 'Skywater'. Anyone else read it?

Posted 1 year ago #

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