Neighbor Margo Molthan reported on NextDoor that her camera recorded this coyote at 6 a.m. at the corner of Mimosa and Thackery. Watch the video here on NextDoor. 

Bonnie Bradshaw, the president of 911 Wildlife, a company that the City of Dallas contracted with about wildlife concerns, told the Advocate in 2018 whether we should be concerned about coyotes in our area.

“The reason they are thriving in Preston Hollow is because of the high density of squirrels, rats and cotton-tailed rabbits,” she says.  She says cities have tried trapping and removing coyotes in the past. “But no matter how many coyotes are removed, it just puts up a flashing vacancy sign for other coyotes to move in and take over those territories,” she says. ” They are intelligent animals, and they very quickly learn that it is easier to find food in a residential neighborhood. Their main source of food is more plentiful in a residential area. That’s counterintuitive. The coyotes are in the neighborhood because that’s where the easy food is.”

What to do if you see a coyote, according to Bradshaw:

  • Coyotes are not a threat to children. Children are excellent deterrents for coyotes. Children are loud and playful, and that’s  discourages coyotes.
  • When someone sees a coyote, most people pull out their cameras and take pictures. That teaches the coyote that it’s safe, Bradshaw says. Instead, use a technique called “hazing.”
  • “Hazing” means that if you see a coyote, act aggressively toward it. Coyotes have an innate fear of people. So if you get out of your car, shout, clap your hands, wave your arms, challenge the coyote, it will run away.
  • Make sure you’re not inadvertently feeding the coyote. The number one food source for coyotes is bird feeders. “Bird feeders attract rats, squirrels and birds. So that becomes a coyote feeder. I would really question whether that bird feeder is beneficial,” Bradshaw says.

With all of the coyote sightings, have there been any attacks? Yes, of small dogs and cats, Bradshaw says. “It’s important for those owners to make sure their pets are supervised when they go outside. It’s a very bad combination to have a small dog and a pet door. Small dogs should never go outdoors unaccompanied day or night.