The coyote, Canis latrans, is an adaptable canine species that has expanded its range across North America, thriving even in densely populated urban and suburban areas. These animals are naturally wary and typically avoid human contact, but their presence in residential areas prompts questions about potential conflict. While the risk of a coyote attacking a person is extremely low, incidents occasionally occur under specific circumstances that alter the animal’s natural behavior. Understanding the causes behind these rare events promotes safe coexistence with this widespread predator.
How Often Do Coyotes Attack Humans
Direct assaults on people are statistically uncommon compared to conflicts involving domestic animals. An analysis of incidents across the United States and Canada documented 367 attacks on humans between 1977 and 2015, indicating an exceptionally low rate. The vast majority of reported coyote interactions involve pets, as coyotes occasionally view small dogs or cats as prey or competition.
Most attacks on humans involve two specific groups: small children and adults attempting to intervene in a pet attack. Children, particularly toddlers, are at greater risk of serious injury in the rare event of a predatory attack. While adults make up approximately 60% of bite victims, many of these incidents are defensive, occurring when a person steps in to protect their pet. The actual number of unprovoked, predatory attacks on adult humans remains exceedingly small.
What Factors Lead to Aggressive Behavior
A coyote’s aggression toward people is not a natural instinct but an acquired behavior resulting primarily from habituation. This loss of natural fear occurs when coyotes frequently encounter humans without experiencing negative consequences. The main driver of this process is the ready availability of food sources in residential areas, whether from intentional feeding or unintentional attractants.
Coyotes that associate human presence with an easy meal, such as unsecured garbage, exposed compost, or pet food left outdoors, gradually become bolder. This comfort around people can escalate into demanding behavior and, eventually, aggression when food is not provided.
A secondary trigger for aggression is territorial defense, particularly during the pup-rearing season between March and August. During this time, coyotes may act aggressively toward people or dogs they perceive as a threat to their den or young.
Disease can also cause aberrant behavior; a coyote infected with rabies may lose its fear and exhibit uncharacteristic aggression. Signs of a rabid animal include staggering, drooling, or general disorientation, but these cases are rare.
Strategies for Preventing Conflict
Proactive measures in residential areas are the most effective way to prevent habituation and maintain a coyote’s natural avoidance of humans. Securing all potential food sources is the first line of defense. This means never leaving pet food or water bowls outside, especially overnight. Garbage cans should have tight-fitting lids and should not be placed at the curb until the morning of collection.
Removing other attractants, such as fallen fruit, spilled bird seed, or open compost piles, further discourages coyotes from lingering. If a coyote is seen nearby, the technique of “hazing” should be used immediately and consistently to re-establish the animal’s fear of people. Hazing involves using various deterrents to make the experience of being near a human unpleasant.
Effective hazing requires being loud and assertive. Methods include:
- Yelling and clapping your hands.
- Using noisemakers like whistles or air horns.
- Throwing small sticks, tennis balls, or clumps of dirt near the animal to startle it without causing injury.
It is important to continue hazing until the coyote completely leaves the area, as simply retreating a short distance suggests the deterrent was insufficient. Using a variety of methods is recommended because coyotes can quickly become desensitized to a single action.
What to Do During an Encounter
If a coyote approaches aggressively or shows no fear, take immediate steps to protect yourself and assert dominance. Never run, as this can trigger the coyote’s chase instinct. Instead, make yourself appear as large and intimidating as possible by waving your arms overhead and standing tall.
Yell loudly and firmly at the animal, maintaining direct eye contact to signal that you are not prey. Slowly back away while facing the coyote, moving toward a building or a more populated area.
If the coyote continues to approach or shows signs of aggression like growling or snarling, throw any nearby objects at it. In the extremely unlikely event of a physical attack, fight back aggressively by kicking, punching, or using any available means to deter the animal.