Coyotes: Protect Your Small Pets

Gray citizens are reporting coyote attacks on small pets, most recently in the Egypt Road area.

One such report involved an attack on a cat at midday, with the owner nearby.  Luckily, in this case the coyote was scared off and the cat suffered only minor injuries.

Because they have been raised by humans, pets are not prepared to fend for themselves against predators. If you leave cats and small to mid-size dogs outside at night in an unprotected area, they can easily become prey.

If you must feed your pets outside, do so in the morning or at midday, and pick up food, water bowls, leftovers and spilled food well before dark.

If you do lose a dog or cat to a coyote, notify your neighbors, because once a coyote finds easy prey it may continue to hunt in the area.

Visit the Maine Department of Fisheries & Wildlife to learn more about preventing conflicts with coyotes.