Seeing a coyote around East Dallas (or other parts of the Metroplex) isn’t particularly uncommon.
Coyotes can be found all over the country, including North Texas, according to Dallas Animal Services’ website. Although they tend to keep to themselves, coyotes can adapt to urban and suburban environments.
Dallas Animal Services’ coyote tracking map notes sightings and observations over the past few years in East Dallas, a handful of encounters and very few attacks. Attacks on humans are “extremely rare.”
Dallas Animal Services has some tips for people spotting coyotes:
- Secure your pets. Keep dogs on 6-foot leashes and cats indoors.
- Be aware of your surroundings, and keep an eye on your children.
- Show the coyote that you’re not backing down or running away. You can wave your arms and yell to scare off coyotes. You can also fire off noisemakers, water guns and pepper spray, but don’t throw anything at coyotes in an attempt to hurt them.
- Don’t feed wildlife or leave garbage and pet food unattended outdoors. Consider limiting the amount of food you put in bird feeders.
Of course, some of this guidance won’t apply if the coyote is suspected to be sick or injured, in which case you shouldn’t interact with it at all and contact 311 instead. You can also report coyote sightings by calling 469-676-9813.
Dallas Animal Services’ website has more information about coyote behavior, repellants and appropriate hazing, among other resources.
