Coyote Sightings in Melrose
Melrose Canine Control Officer, Diane Kurkjian, has received numerous calls from residents regarding coyote sightings. In response, we would like to provide some information on the habits of coyotes, and steps people can take to prevent problems with them.
Coyotes are a now common sight throughout Massachusetts due to the ease with which they adapt to many different habitats. They resemble a medium-sized dog with thick fur and pointy ears, and can come in several colors. They are active year-round and more commonly seen and heard at night, though they are sometimes out during the daytime. They are normally shy of humans.
Coyotes are very good at adapting to whatever food supply is most available to them, and can feed on small animals, birds, insects and fruit, as well as scavenging road kill, garbage, compost piles, bird feeders and pet food left outdoors. They are able to prey on domestic cats and small dogs.
To prevent problems with coyotes, it is important to take steps to make your property less attractive to them, and that means removing food sources. Store garbage in cans with tight fitting lids, and consider putting rubbish out for pickup on the scheduled pickup morning, not the night before. Keep the area under bird feeders clean, or remove them altogether if coyotes are a problem in your area. Feed pets indoors, and keep cats and small dogs indoors unless directly supervised.
It is important to keep coyotes wary of humans. The less direct contact they have with us, the less problem behavior will develop. Never feed coyotes! It will make them too comfortable approaching humans. If you see a coyote on your property, scare it away by making loud noises, throwing something soft at it like a tennis ball, or spraying it with water from a hose. Teach children never to approach an animal they find outside.
The City of Melrose Canine Control office would like to continue to get calls (781-979-4102) on wildlife sightings, in order to keep track of where animals are located in the city. However, by State law, wildlife cannot be removed unless it is posing a direct hazard to humans. In those situations, a licensed problem animal control agent can be called. More information on coyotes and other Massachusetts wildlife can be found at http://www.masswildlife.org/.
