West Seattle coyotes: Lincoln Park neighbor’s alert

| Coyotes | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(the coyote we spotted a year ago at Thistle/Northrop, a few blocks from this latest report)
Also out of the inbox, the first coyote sighting reported to us in a while – this one’s from Alice:

Keep your cats and small dogs inside, or protected. Yesterday, in the middle of the day, as i pulled into my driveway, a coyote walked casually across 44th Ave SW, @ 8200 block (map), and went into the greenbelt. This is just a few blocks above Lincoln Park.

Previously, our neighborhood lost many many cats, and at least one small dog to a hungry coyote. I believe they are nocturnal, so she must be hungry to be out midday.

All WSB coyote reports (including some with photos and video) are archived here, newest to oldest.

ADDED 5:44 PM: Another note that came in after we published this:

My sister lives in Snohomish. Her cat was killed by a coyote in broad daylight. They are not just nocturnal hunters. This happened at around 2pm, my nephew heard the cat screaming, etc. So, don’t be fooled, keep your pets inside.

And that’s what the experts advise as well, but they warn against other dangers to outdoor cats (cars, raccoons, other cats, etc.) too.

Mike April 28, 2009 (3:03 pm)

Jan – Mar is coyote breeding season. They have young ones they’ll be keeping fed right now. Leave them alone, don’t leave out food, keep your cat inside.

lashanna April 28, 2009 (3:26 pm)

she looks beautiful….

Gina April 28, 2009 (5:29 pm)

I saw one running down 37th when I was driving down Elmgrove last Friday at about 5:30 a.m. It was running really fast down the street as though chasing something. So, yes, keep kitties inside!

lina April 28, 2009 (6:36 pm)

i have been wanting to see one for years! how do i always miss them…

Rod April 28, 2009 (9:00 pm)

I grew up in West Seattle and now live in the Sonoran Desert south of Tucson. I enjoy this website; it’s my favorite hometown newspaper I visit.

It’s a belief down here that coyotes that go into neighborhoods are the bad hunters–either old, slow, sick, or vegan–and forage garbage, plants, and curious pets. I have a dachshund that ripped into the rear end of a coyote and then got away only to claim ownership of every dog park he walks into. [I think he’s Heinrich Himler’s reincarnation.] We do have a lot more dangerous animals down here, but coyotes prey the most on our small pets.

My best advise to the neighborhood is to keep your small pets inside or penned behind a six-foot fence whenever you are not with them. I have some small pets and livestock and this recommendation I share has worked well for me; I have not lost an animal to a predator yet.

Tanya April 28, 2009 (11:23 pm)

So gorgeous! Urban wildlife…I would keep my kitty inside though.

TeresaP April 29, 2009 (8:13 am)

I always know when they are back by hearing them howl when an ambulance or fire truck sirens go off. Hurts their ears and they let us all know it! I live at the end of 44th and Portland, they actually had a den on my property last year, babies and all but this year they are not in the same spot.

Sorry, comment time is over.