Daytime coyote sighting in SW Bend neighborhood prompts report; ODFW has tips to protect pets

Coyote walking on sidewalk in SW Bend neighborhood

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Living in Central Oregon comes with being neighbors to a variety wildlife. Southwest Bend resident Joe Hull posted on a Facebook page Saturday a report of a coyote sighting in his neighborhood.

Hull says he was watering the plants when he saw the coyote trotting down the sidewalk.

"My first thought was -- 'Whoa, you don't see that every day!' My second thought was to make sure my dog wasn't trying to follow me outside," Hull told NewsChannel 21 on Tuesday.

Hull lives right across the street from Elk Meadow Elementary School. He says it's concerning to see a coyote in broad daylight -- and in a residential area.

"Normally, when I see a coyote, it's dusk or middle of the night -- to see one in the daytime, right where the school is --- I was like, 'Huh?'" Hull said.

While coyotes are not as much of a threat as, say, a cougar, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says right now coyotes have pups, so they could be more aggressive.

Here's what the ODFW offers as suggestions for minimizing the potential for conflicts with coyotes, which are fairly common in areas of the state:

• Do not leave small children unattended outdoors if coyotes have been frequenting the area
• Feed pets indoors and do not leave pet food or water bowls outside
• Supervise pets when they are outside; if possible, keep them leashed
• Do not leave cats or small dogs out after dark
• Secure garbage and garbage cans in an area inaccessible to wild animals (use bleach as necessary to remove odors that could attract coyotes)
• Harvest fruits and vegetables as they become ripe and do not allow them to accumulate and create an attraction for coyotes
• Never leave food or water out for feral animals or wildlife
• Bring livestock and fowl into barns, sheds or coyote-proof enclosures at night
• Trim and clear vegetation that provides cover for coyotes or their prey
• Remove bird-feeders. Coyotes are attracted to them and the birds and rodents that use the feeder
• Secure compost piles
• Clean barbecues regularly
• Build a coyote-proof perimeter fence

"It's a reminder that even though we live in a busy neighborhood, we're not that far away from you know -- true wilderness."