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Coyotes invade Troy backyards
Officials say coyote population growing in city limits
Published Wednesday, October 8, 2008
As Ren Anderson was enjoying an afternoon on his back porch, he looked up and found he had a rather unsuspected guest.
“A few weeks ago, a coyote just came through my back yard while I was on the deck,” Anderson said. “I’ve seen them out in the country, but to see them right here in town, it’s a little unnerving.”
Anderson said having a coyote right in his back yard surprised him — he’s not the only one.
Troy’s Animal Control Officer Ken Andress said coyote complaints have been on the climb in the last six months.
“It’s a growing problem inside the city limits of Troy,” Andress said. “I think it has to do with the housing expanding to the outskirts of town. We’re taking their homes.”
Andress said coyote complaints haven’t just been late at night, but they’ve been coming at all times of the day.
TROY--NEWS BLOCK
Collin McCrary, who walks every morning at 5:30, said he’s seen coyotes numerous times on the Country Club Golf Course.
“A few weeks ago I was on the golf course, and a siren went off on 231, and you could hear packs of them yelping,” McCrary said. “There is a huge, huge pack of them that kind of roam together over in those woods.”
McCrary said he has seen up to six at a time, and while he doesn’t feel endangered by them, it’s a problem that may soon need to be addressed.
“If they keep multiplying, the city’s going to have to do something about them,” McCrary said.
Andress said keeping them away is something that’s a challenge.
“It’s all been tried,” Andress said. “They’re pretty smart and won’t even approach any traps.”
Andress said people are most likely safe around coyotes, but pets might be another story.
Though it was two years ago, Donna Schubert said a coyote attacked her pet dog right in her backyard in Troy.
“I have two medium-sized dogs, and my husband left them out during the night,” Schubert said. “And one of them just made an awful sound and came running back in. He had been attacked.”
Schubert said the dog had been bitten on his neck and back. Luckily, since he was young, he was able to escape, she said.
When it happened, Schubert said the sounds of coyotes in her backyard disappeared for a while, but now, she can hear them once again.
“I’m not afraid of a coyote attacking us, but I’m very concerned, particularly at night, about the dogs and our cat.”
Anderson and McCrary said they share Schubert’s concern.
“When you’re kids are outside or you let your dog out, you don’t know if they’re just right around the corner,” Anderson said.
Troy Animal Clinic Veterinarian Doug Hawkins said they have treated several animals that have been attacked by coyotes.
“We haven’t had coyotes here that many years, but they’re definitely reproducing, and a lot of people tell me they hear them howling,” Hawkins said.
Andress said if residents see coyotes that appear to be sick or aggressive, they should contact Animal Control at 566-0500.
Comments
Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Coyotes can be scary. Especially when there is more than one at a time...they can be very bold...and yes they can be very smart too. My son in California had a puppy taken off his patio and carried away while he was sitting right there reading the paper and drinking coffee in the morning. He got the pup back by chasing the coyote and hitting it with a stick but the pup had to be put to sleep.
If I saw one in my yard...I would certainly keep an eye on my small children and pets. Animal Control will have their hands full in the near future.
Posted by sexy_beast (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"unsuspected"? how about "unexpected"? why doesn't the Mess hire an editor? seriously. proofreading, people. look into it.
Posted by blissfullygreen (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shoot first, ask questions later. That is what I would do. And before you ask, I have discussed this with TPD Animal Control officers already and they gave the thumbs-up.
Posted by wisemom (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
unsuspected means "not expected or believed unlikely" which definitely describes seeing a coyote on your backyard in the city. Great job Keaton!
Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd better be careful, I thought I saw an ACME truck dropping off some boxes by the woods.
Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Giant sling shot out on the golf course too!
Posted by Kpeg (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG!!!! This is a important story and most of the comments are ppl making jokes about some words and the spellings and meanings and I would think the ppl of Troy Alabama would take this serious because if one of these animals attacks a child then the residents of Troy are going to be in total shock and then there will be no more jokes, Get real Troy residents take this serious.
Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good God, get a life.
Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kpeg...children are safe and under a watchful eye of their parents. Coyotes mostly find their prey in the woods. Small pets...food left outside for pets and animals and garbage will lure a coyote.
But God forbid it did happen that a child was attacked...no one person in Troy or any place else would even think about making a joke out of it.
Posted by turtle (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Andress hit the nail on the head. Housing development on in the outskirts of town is taking away the homes of the coyotes therefore they are venturing to other food sources. Just like the Everglades of Florida, people want to complain about the "gators" but they don't realize they are destroying and invading the home of the alligator. Development and growth is awesome, but we have to think of what it costs us nature wise. Yeah I'm a tree hugger LOL.
Posted by inaword (anonymous) on October 10, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Should we blame the coyotes on students too?
Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on October 11, 2008 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nothing wrong with being a "tree hugger" turtle. I think that Officer Andress did "hit the nail on the head". Development of housing and cleared land pushes animals out of their normal environment...then it becomes a problem to us all...sad but true.
Posted by TFan (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Quite frankly, coyotes have been on an expansion plan of their own for years...they are very intelligent and will "make a living" wherever they can.
Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on October 15, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A Coyote pack will work together to attack and kill prey. One Coyote will approach perhaps a small dog and "play" until he can lure the prey away from any type of safety. Once that happens and the prey is in a vulnerable place or position...the others will pounce and kill.
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