How to Keep Pets Safe from Coyotes in the Suburbs

Having lost a cat to a coyote in suburban Connecticut, and having heard numerous such stories, we've learned how to keep our pets safe from these wild terrors.
We now live in suburban California in Los Angeles County and hear coyotes howling late at night just outside of our back yard. They're all over the place and we've managed to keep our two dogs and three cats safe from their clutches.
Here's How To keep your animals safe.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A vulnerable pet such as a cat or small dog
• Living in the vicinity of coyotes

1. 

   Keep Pets Inside
   We made the mistake of letting our cat wander around the yard the day we lost him. We have "indoor" cats who are not allowed outside.

2. 

   If They Must Go Out, Follow these Rules
   Coyotes generally pounce in the dawn or the dusk. We let our dogs roam our fenced in yard when it's light out. But at night time, we always accompany our dogs, especially the smaller of the two, a pug. Coyotes avoid humans so your scent will be a deterrent.

3. 

   Consider Building a Coyote Fence
   This should be upwards of 8 feet because these critters can jump that high. It should also be buried in the dirt to avoid them digging underneath.

4. 

   Don't Leave Food Outside
   Coyotes will eat it and come back for more.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an eye on your dogs when they're outside. Keep cats in.
• We generally let the larger dog, a Sheltie, go out with the smaller pug.

[brandy1123]

on 9/10/2008 great article