Looks like time to say it again …

… KEEP YOUR PETS INDOORS! If you don’t, as this article just posted by the P-I reminds us, they are liable to wind up as Coyote Chow. Though as we’ve noted before (last August and last September), coyotes are nowhere near the most lethal threat faced by pets whose owners let them roam free. So just say no to anti-coyote hysteria; find out more about these amazing creatures (including video) at this great site forwarded by Charles Redmond, who reports he saw one strolling 39th SW, heading south from Elmgrove, a couple weeks ago. (WS coyote pix, anyone? Send ’em!)

Jim July 23, 2007 (3:32 pm)

Cool! I’ve seen a Red Fox (though not Red Foxx) in West Seattle, but not a Coyote!

Flowerpetal July 23, 2007 (3:50 pm)

I saw a coyote crossing 35th SW near Our Lady of Guadalupe one night last summer. The coyote was carrying a smaller critter in its mouth which, at first look I thought was a small coyote pup; but no, it was more likely someone’s pet.
I am guessing that the huge green belt which used to be behind Home Depot was home to alot of animals. I used to see foxes there. Not sure where this coyote was coming from but he was headed west.

Flowerpetal July 23, 2007 (3:55 pm)

One more thing. In my back yard, the first apples are beginning to fall. Picking up apples is my mission from now until a time past Thanksgiving. I’ve never seen a coyote in my Westwood neighborhood but I have seen gangs of raccoons and the apples interest them… and my dog who is too little for her own good; is interested in the raccoons! For now through the next four months she will have outdoor supervised time at night!

Bill July 23, 2007 (5:22 pm)

I don’t think the female pitbull running loose in my neighborhood the past 2 days has anything to worry about. :( Is animal control very responsive here? On a more related note, maybe a coyote will nab the neighbor’s cat that’s been using my yard as a crapper all summer…

Radley July 23, 2007 (9:35 pm)

Unfortunately, animal contol is too busy dealing with nieghbors who are at war over other things who like to call in false complaints regarding dog noise.

G. Williams July 23, 2007 (9:44 pm)

I’ve seen a coyote run across Highland Park Way, which runs through the Duwamish Greenbelt, and have found tracks and scat in both the greenbelt and around Longfellow Creek. They’re around.

Also, while working with the Nature Consortium last summer, we found what we’re pretty sure was a coyote skeleton, totally intact. It was neat.

Couple of raccoons around the house lately since one neighbor’s dog died and the other neighbors moved away. Also seeing quite a few rabbits lately, they better hope the coyotes don’t get ’em.

Flowerpetal July 24, 2007 (9:38 am)

Yikes about the pit bull. Bill, do you care to identify your neighborhood?

ESEW July 25, 2007 (10:10 am)

I’ve seen the red fox too, down by Hamilton viiewpoint. I’m sure he killed my chickens, but my wife will tell you that I’m crazy thinking there are foxes in WS. So thanks Jim, for backing me up.

We’ve got rabbits up in NorAd too, though I’m sure the foxes (now confirmed) are putting a hurting on them.

Gina July 25, 2007 (8:12 pm)

In SoAd I have seen daytime raccoons walking about with little raccoons trotting behind. Not only do I not let my cat out at night, she has had to spend this summer inside. Usually I let her come out while I garden, but I have seen too many opposums and racoons and rats and very large dogs that look like coyotes. In the daytime. And too many posters on poles with missing cats.

Sorry, comment time is over.