Eastside Coyote Sightings Put Neighbors On Alert

Eastside coyote sightings have been building for weeks, and neighbors say it is starting to wear on them. Residents in the “Poinsettia Circle” (Poinsettia Place and Drive) area on the Eastside say they have been hearing late night howls, spotting coyotes in driveways and yards, and scrambling to scoop up pets on their walks. Poinsettia Place and Drive coyote sightings are now common enough that residents have started a text thread to warn each other when one is on the move.

Neighbors say one of the worst stretches came early Friday. People on Poinsettia Place woke up to howling once around 3:30 in the morning that lasted for 15 minutes and sounded like two or more coyotes were up to something. It quieted down, then started again roughly an hour later and went on long enough that nobody on the block could ignore it. One woman says a coyote jumped her fence last month and wiped out her chickens. She recently replaced her entire property fencing and driveway gate to better protect herself. Even so, she told us she still doesn’t feel safe. 

Around 8:30 a.m., when people were walking their dogs, a coyote showed up again, this time standing in a driveway many now recognize as one of its usual spots. It moved up the street at a leisurely pace, not rushing, not hiding, not fearful. Several people were really scared, not just for their pet’s safety but their own. 

The Poinsettia loop gets a lot of dog walkers from the Eastside, so these sightings are hard to ignore. The residents’ group text filled with photos and warnings after the latest run-in. One message captured what a lot of people were feeling: “WTF is going on.”

Neighbors have their own theories. Some think the recent storms or nearby fires may have pushed the coyotes out of the hills and into the flats. Some questioned if the coyote had pups nearby, but coyotes are strongly seasonal breeders. Most females come into heat only once a year in late winter (January through March). They carry for about 60 to 63 days so pups are usually born March through May, and unlike domestic dogs they do not cycle again every few months. So, in normal wild conditions they do not have multiple litters in a year. One former resident who now lives in Silver Lake pointed out that coyote dispersal season is mainly in the fall, roughly September through December, when juvenile coyotes leave their family groups to find their own territories and mates, which is why people often see more of them in neighborhoods as these younger animals move through new areas. This one appears to be a juvenile female. State wildlife officials say coyotes tend to stay in spots where they can find food, water and cover, so once they find that on a quiet street, they often return.

Even with all of this, many do not see coyotes as villains. We see them as part of the landscape, simply an animal just trying to survive and/or feed their young, even as we worry about our own safety and that of our cats, dogs and backyard chickens. That said, they’re still a real risk.

The City of West Hollywood has a coyote management page that makes one main point, do not feed them, even by accident. The City tells residents to bring pet food and water dishes inside, keep trash cans closed, pick up fallen fruit, and keep cats and small dogs indoors or closely supervised, especially at night and early in the morning.

Last December, the City and county experts walked residents through many of these same points during a virtual Coyote Management and Coexistence workshop. You can read our recap of that meeting here.

You’re also encouraged to report concerning coyote behavior through the City’s animal care and control channels, which helps staff track patterns and hot spots.

Below is a quick refresher for anyone living, walking a dog or caring for kids in the area.

How to make your property less attractive to coyotes

• Bring pet food indoors. Do not leave dog or cat food outside. If you must feed outdoors, remove the bowl and any leftovers as soon as your pet is done. 
• Secure trash and green bins. Use containers with tight or locking lids. Do not leave loose trash bags outside, coyotes can rip them open. 
• Pick up fallen fruit. Clear ripe or rotting fruit from the ground so it does not become an easy food source. 
• Protect small animals. Keep cats indoors. Supervise small dogs when they are outside and avoid letting them out alone at night or before sunrise. If you keep chickens or other small livestock, use sturdy coops with secure fencing and covered tops. 
• Clean up around bird feeders. Seeds on the ground attract rodents, which in turn attract coyotes. Rake regularly if you use feeders. 
• Close off easy hiding spots. Trim dense shrubs at ground level and clear clutter where coyotes might hide or rest near your house.

If you see a coyote at a distance 

• Stay calm and face the coyote.
• Do not run.
• Pick up small children and small pets.
• Keep your dog on a short leash, close to you.
• If it is just passing through and not coming toward you, you can slowly move away or let it move on.

If a coyote feels too close or starts coming toward you 

• Stand tall and make eye contact.
• Make yourself look bigger, raise your arms or hold up a jacket or stick.
• Be loud. Yell, clap, stomp, bang something, or blow a whistle or small air horn.
• Throw small objects toward the coyote (sticks, small rocks, tennis ball, shaker can) so they land near it, not at its head.
• If you are at home, you can spray water from a hose toward the animal.
• Keep it up until the coyote turns and leaves the area, not just a few steps.

• When you are walking your dog: 

• Walk dogs on a leash, about 6 feet or shorter.
• Avoid areas where you know there have been repeated bold encounters, especially at dawn and dusk.
• If you see a coyote ahead, change direction or cross the street.
• If a coyote shows interest, pick up small dogs, shorten the leash on larger dogs and start hazing (big and loud) while you back away.
• Do not let your dog “meet” or chase a coyote.

Simple tools you can carry 

• Whistle or small air horn. 
• Shaker can (an empty can with a few coins or rocks inside).
• Small flashlight you can flash at the animal at night.
• Tennis ball, small rocks or similar items you can toss toward the coyote.
• Small spray bottle or squirt gun (plain water or water with a little vinegar).