By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
Unlike the loveable cartoon character that chases a roadrunner around the desert to no avail, coyotes are fully capable of harming a homeowner’s pets or farm animals.
But coyotes are not just found ranging in the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico.
Coyotes have been sighted in parts of Kentucky for nearly 40 years, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. The mammals initially migrated toward the central and southeastern parts of the state, but they have also been spotted periodically in Northern Kentucky.
Coyotes have been sighted in parts of Kentucky for nearly 40 years, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. Residents in Fort Wright have reported two coyote sightings in the past month.
Residents in Fort Wright have reported two coyote sightings in the past month, according to Chief of Police Col. Marc Schworer.
“At this point, we have had two complaints that residents have seen them, but we have not had any harm done by a coyote,” Schworer said. “Mostly just sighting. It has not been an issue.”
According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, coyotes are able to adapt to virtually any environment. They are omnivores and will attack deer, rabbits, livestock and even small family pets. Coyotes also have keen vision and sense of smell, and they are capable of running up to 40 miles per hour.
Coyote sightings in suburban areas also increase during the spring and early summer as the animals breed and give birth to their young.
In response to the two coyote sightings in Fort Wright, Schworer said the city is trying to educate residents about the animal.
“We are telling them that coyotes usually eat mice, birds and rabbits,” he said. “We tell [residents] to get rid of the food source in their yard, like bird feeders. Because if the coyote likes your yard, they will keep returning.
“If you can kill one coyote in that yard, the next day there will be one more in that same yard because of the food source. We tell them to keep their dogs on leashes. Research has shown that most coyote attacks on dogs were on dogs with no leash. Typically, humans are not attacked. We also recommended air hoses to scare them away. They are usually afraid of humans.”
Most animal experts theorize that coyotes were able to migrate eastward by crossing the Mississippi River when it was frozen. In 1977 and ‘78, the Ohio Valley region experienced brutal winters that likely allowed coyotes to wander into states such as Kentucky.
How do the police normally deal with a coyote sighting?
“The police will just attempt to scare them away,” Schworer said. “At this point the Fort Wright police are not shooting coyotes unless they are sick. We will also make sure no one gets around the animal. Most of the time the coyote will run away from humans. They are typically afraid of humans.”
Schworer also offered advice on what residents should do if they see a coyote in their yard.
“Call the police so that we can record the incident,” he said. “They should never try to attempt to kill or capture the animal.”
Really? lets not destroy an animal that HELPS keep the rodent population under control. Which is why he may be in your neck of the woods to begin with. Large population of rabbits in the neighborhood?
You move into their neighborhoods and call them pests? You need to look into the mirror and see who really is the pest!
Get a clue, you are so ignorant.
The only “pest” walks around on 2 legs and thinks he knows everything.
Last I checked, coyotes weren’t the species who are wiping out other species and destroying the planet we ALL need for survival. Not to mention that there’s only been two documented attacks on humans and livestock and pets are the responsibility of the owners to protect from even other humans.
Im a Ft. Wright resident who has reported coyotes for well over a year. On one occasion i sat in my vehicle for 10mins when pulling in driveway bc 2 coyotes stood just feet away. I shined a spot light and yelled but they were not budging (i had 2 smaller dogs with me) I have videos of a pack hooting and causing all kind of noise.
Similar situation happened to me. I reported it years prior to this article being published.
They can be scary at times, when your unable to scare them away.
I live in Ft Wright on one of the three Woods streets by LHCC, saw two foxes digging in my front yard last night around 10pm on Halloween! I’ve had a mole problem going back to September. I’ve also seen a skunk digging for moles a couple weeks ago too. I don’t mind the digging as long as they get the kill. Holes are easier to fix than mole mounts! I’m not a fan of either though.
Will a 4 foot high chain link fence protect 2 small dogs unleased in a back yard? ie will coyotes climb a fence or dig under one to get to the pets? Will a outdoor light, along with the fence, keep coyotes from harming the dogs?
If the coyotes were larger than us, be assured they would eat you, even if you dedicated your life to writing comments defending them on the internet. They’re wild animals.
Google “kentucky coyote regulations” for the KY gov site – you can hunt them all day, all year, no limit. Just a few minor exceptions of where, and with what. Be safe, and happy hunting.