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Brighton Animal Control 3401 East Bromley Lane Brighton, CO 80601 [PHONE REDACTED] © Willis Anderson Información disponible en Español . A guide to understanding and coexisting Living with Coyotes Feel free to contact your local Animal Control Officers for any questions or comments. Animal Control Officer Cessna Herrera -[EMAIL REDACTED] Animal Control Officer Julie Sanders - [EMAIL REDACTED] Animal Control Officer Holly Hosker - [EMAIL REDACTED] What To Do If You Meet a Coyote • Coyotes provide an enjoyable wildlife viewing experience. Keep your distance and do not approach the animals. Enjoy the opportunity to view wildlife. • Keep your pets on a leash when walking them. • If a coyote approaches you or your pet, you can throw rocks or sticks to frighten it away. • Use a loud, authoritative voice to frighten the animal. For this and more information, visit http://wildlife.state.co.us/ ---PAGE BREAK--- Understanding Coyotes The coyote is a member of the dog family. Weighing about 25 pounds, the coyote has a bushy tail and is gray and tan in color. This interesting creature is misunderstood and commonly underestimated. Sightings of coyotes are very common during the spring, which corresponds with their mating season. Coyotes prefer to live in open fields and mountainous surroundings, but have no problems adjusting to city life. As long as food, water, and shelter are available coyotes will adapt to any habitat. Coyotes are extremely adaptable animals. We must learn to coexist with these creatures and do everything possible to keep our community and pets safe. Photo by:Michael Seraphin, DOW K c d w a n t B o r f H s o a a b a a a c W c c a h e Knowing the Danger Coyotes pose a danger to the community, and being aware of that danger is the first step to coexisting with these creatures. With coyotes being so adaptable to surrounding habitats, it is not uncommon to see coyotes running through the neighborhoods of Brighton. Their principle diet consists of mice, rabbits, squirrels, other small rodents, insects, even reptiles, and fruits and berries of wild plants. However when dog food, bird feed, small dogs, and domestic cats are left outside, the coyote will use that to its advantage and can even use your pets as a food source. Human attacks are very rare, but not impossible. Most human attacks have been caused by a person attempting to feed a coyote. Proper actions should be taken to avoid such conflicts. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has done extensive research to come up with solutions to deal with coyotes. It has been proven that actions to attempt to eradicate coyotes have caused the coyote population to expand rather than decline. Ta • If you hav pets cats pets Mak app sugg or, b com • Do no coyo they turn terr • Don’t invit and • Protec chic she exte met dep • Keep y faci con regu odo chlo aking Action live in areas where coyotes e been seen, protect your s! Coyotes will attack and kill s and dogs. Do not allow your s to roam, especially at night. ke sure your yard is propriately fenced. We gest at least a six-foot fence, better yet, keep your dog in a mpletely enclosed kennel. ot allow dogs to run with otes. Although it appears y are "playing coyotes can n on dogs to defend their ritory. leave pet food outside. This tes wildlife into your yard problems may result. ct livestock, especially ckens, young calves, and ep. Contact your local ension office for appropriate thods to prevent predation. your garbage in a storage lity or in a sealed tainer. Clean garbage cans ularly to reduce residual ors by using hot water and orine bleach.