Wareham DNR Offers Tips in Case You Encounter a Coyote

The visibility of wildlife this summer has been a little high, or is it just me? I have been seeing deer running across 195 at least once a week.

Now, I read a post on Facebook by the Wareham Department of Natural Resources about a coyote that attacked a dog at the Rosebrook Cranberry Bog near Rosebrook Way in Wareham.

The dog is expected to recover and, as reported, the dog was unleashed at the time of the attack.

Now according to the post, it was an area where there were other small creatures for the coyote to feed.

So, my questions are what's going on that these coyotes are coming out in the open? Are we crowding them? Apparently, they usually are only out at night, so around dusk is prime coyote sighting time.

Here are some helpful tips from the Wareham Department Of Natural Resources that you should follow if you are in an area where coyotes are known to be active:

1. Make sure you keep your dogs on leash if walking in areas where wildlife most likely will be present.

2. Use extra caution when walking in the dusk to dawn hours.

3. Bring a walking stick, loud whistle and/or deterrent spray when walking in areas where wildlife exists.

4. Keep a couple of throwable rocks in your pockets.

5. If wildlife is observed from a distance seek an alternate walking route.

If you are confronted by a coyote:

1. Don’t run or turn your back to the animal.

2. Raise your arms, make yourself look as big as possible.

3. Make loud noises.

4. Throw objects such as sticks or rocks

5. Slowly back away while facing the coyote until you are at a safe distance.

6. If attacked, fight back.

That last one you won't ever catch me doing. I think if I were face-to-face with a coyote, my butt is running as fast as I can.

I'm thinking let's use common sense and follow the suggestions above and we can all co-exist peacefully.