The Coyotes I'm used to seeing are usually quite
shy. They can be very hard on cats, small dogs, etc. They are
very adaptable and have moved into suburbs and even cities. I've read of
attacks on small children in LA. Don't know if that's true or
not.
I have had them follow my horse on accession,
seemed just curious. One summer when I was working at a fire lookout one
followed me several miles every time I rode out one ridge. Didn't
threaten me or my dog, just trotted along 50 yds behind.
The kind of mange coyotes get around here
(Idaho) is usually fatal, and it can be contagious to
dogs.
These guys are hungry. They are out in the daylight hunting for
food. I've had two cats get eatten, and one of my neighbors lost a cat
too, all in the last 2 weeks. They have the mange so bad that they are
nearly hairless. Two grown ones were in the pasture the other morning
looking for mice/rats...the horse just stopped and grouped together and
watched them.
Interesting....the coyotes out west are not nearly
that brave, at least not on our ranch and its environs. They aren't
easily frightened, but they are wary. And I've never had one threaten
me or my horse. I've seen one chasing around, playing so to speak,
with one of our dogs, many years ago, as we were out for a ride. I
called the dog back to me, as I understand that a couple of coyotes will
gang up on a dog and attack him. Coyotes work well in packs, or at
least in pairs.
