West Seattle coyotes: Westwood sighting – with cat

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Recent comments and correspondence have led us to realize that some people still are not aware that coyotes are pretty much everywhere around the peninsula (here’s our map). So, when something like this note from Bill comes in, we need to share it:

My wife was walking our dog this morning in the Westwood area when she came across a coyote with a black cat in its mouth. This happened on 32nd Ave between Thistle and Cloverdale. Just want to give all of our neighbors near here a heads-up.

Everything you want to know about coyotes – including what to do when you see one – is here.

jean August 29, 2012 (5:25 pm)

Thanks for sharing. A few weeks ago around 100th and 33rd in arbor heights I came across what was left of a cat on the neighbors lawn. It looked pretty bad and I didn’t know if it was caused from a racoon but it seems more likely a coyote. I am guessing that is how our cat also went missing.

G August 29, 2012 (5:56 pm)

Lots of them around. Saw a coyote, or fox, very early in the morning on 44th, several blocks south of PCC.

GRG August 29, 2012 (6:47 pm)

While walking my dog, observed two coyotes around 5:00AM August 16, 2012 at the intersection of 36th SW & SW Henderson.

Stormy August 29, 2012 (7:01 pm)

RIP Raisin.

Kristin August 29, 2012 (8:31 pm)

A coyote was in my backyard yesterday – 33rd Ave.

Mike August 29, 2012 (9:18 pm)

I saw a coyote with another animal in its mouth about a month ago. It was about 4:00a.m. just west of 63rd on Admiral.

onceachef August 29, 2012 (10:18 pm)

It baffles me that people get pets, especially cats, either through adoption or other means, and then let them wander about…only to be killed by another ever-present predator. If you truly love your cats then keep them indoors. If you have a small dog, then keep them indoors at night. Put away anything that can attract a predator..water, food, etc. It won’t prevent all pets from becoming a predator’s food source but it may help…wake up people!

Paul August 29, 2012 (10:58 pm)

People, please grow up and not leave silly comments. This may be a funny topic for you but it is not for those who have lost their animals. A little empathy goes a long way.

rocky raccoon August 29, 2012 (11:11 pm)

The people who need to “grow up” are those who are shocked when they let their small pets wander around outside and they become victims of other animals. Welcome to the real world.

trickycoolj August 29, 2012 (11:12 pm)

@onceachef a lot of people honestly don’t know that there’s coyotes around here. I grew up rurally and I would have never thought coyotes were in the heart of the city, sure maybe fringe suburbs over on the east side but not here. My coworker’s cat disappeared around 48th and Raymond last month, he didn’t come inside for the night and never returned. Another cat in her neighborhood that liked to intimidate hers also went missing and she’s seen several other “lost cat” signs. Having grown up in rural areas both of us were shocked to even consider predatory wildlife in the city, nasty raccoons maybe but never considered coyotes eating cats. So the more this word gets out there maybe more people will be sure to bring their animals in at night. I know I plan to warn my neighbors with a cat next time I run into them, though they’re really good about getting him in for the night.

Faith4 August 30, 2012 (5:09 am)

The coyotes have been seen not only at night but during the day. I saw one sitting on the corner around 10:30 one morning in the North Admiral District and my friend had just had their dog out and turned around and saw 3 watching from the area she and the dog were just in & this was at 11AM.

Mike August 30, 2012 (6:33 am)

Pets outdoors are more likely to be hit by cars than munched on by larger animals. People just need to use their heads.

AE August 30, 2012 (8:57 am)

Coyotes and cars, who cares which is the bigger threat? Outdoor pets are at risk (and they in turn impact bird and small mammal populations – absolutely documented in real literature). I understand that people often learn the hard way, and I feel terrible for those who have lost pets. I’m sure the owner of a pet lost to a car or coyote is wracked with guilt and pain over it. I have no words of condemnation for them, just words of warning to people who can make the choice NOW to protect their pets.
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My sincere condolences to people who have lost a pet this way.

Jen August 30, 2012 (8:57 am)

I am a pet lover who understands the loss of a pet. But people need to know that coyotes were here before we started building our homes in their territory and live all around us. They have a right to be here too. We need to find a way for us all to live in the neighborhood together. Don’t leave food outside your home as this will attract them and other scavengers. Please leave your pets indoors or let them out under supervision, if they need to roam a little, but bring them back inside when you go in.

ca August 30, 2012 (9:15 am)

yikes, im in that neighborhood….my dog was going crazy at slider door last night (thought predator) might of been coyote…well cat coming in at night FOR SURE now….shes gonna be pissed but I dont want her eaten….i think i know that cat also… :( RIP kitty….condolences to its parents…

AN August 30, 2012 (9:43 am)

I have a vacant lot across the street from me on 24th between Trenton and Cloverdale. There is a Coyote that hangs out in the over grown lot and a path that only an animal would use. I see him in the mornings around 8.

Matt August 30, 2012 (10:25 am)

I actually sent an email last week about this — we have seen them a couple times in the pea patch on Thistle, next to Chief Sealth (between 24th and 25th). The come out of the driveway and watch my dog and I walk by then run back into the woods (Longfellow Creek Trail).

I’m really sorry for the loss of your cat.

Hbe August 30, 2012 (9:22 pm)

People really should keep their cats indoors. There are just too many animals that can get to them either killing them or biting them and giving them diseases (a relative’s cat got a big open wound possibly from a bite from something and developed feline leukemia at only a couple years old, past about a year after that), mating with other cats producing over-population, getting hit by cars, people with bad intentions hurting them, and cats going on other people’s properties who don’t want them there. I have had lots of cat poop in my yard from neighborhood cats, I’m sure there is pee from them somewhere too. I think some people don’t realize others may be allergic and them coming on their property and things can pose a problem.
Also had a cat almost come into our house from the back sliding door. Luckily our dog didn’t see him or the cat would’ve been in trouble. I don’t let my dog loose in the neighborhood and go all over other properties, why should cats be allowed to? You’re just doing your cat a disservice by letting it out because of all the things that can happen to it and other people don’t appreciate it either. If you can’t not let your cat out, then don’t have one. Or learn to walk it like some people do. It’s about being a responsible pet owner. Quite frankly I consider it being a lazy pet parent when people just let their cats out instead of finding other methods to entertain it. By letting your cats out to wander the streets, you’re just handing them over to other animals for dinner.

Mrs Kraveats August 30, 2012 (10:20 pm)

To all those concerned Midnight, Cupcake and Sprinkles are all fine. I did not go to work after learning about this crisis as my felines were gone (out wandering the hood). They came home safe and sound today, but Cupcake had a mouse in her mouth (yum for her). Survival of the fittest. I will pay closer attention in the future so they will not get munched. No more casual leave days left at work. G

NemoBeanBean August 31, 2012 (5:30 pm)

Mrs. K. I’m happy your Cupcake and Sprinkles are home safe but as you said “Survival of the fittest” and I believe the coyotes are the “fittest” so your cats were just lucky this time.

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