Coyote Reporting & Safety

Posted on 10/23/2026

• If you encounter a coyote with your pet, do not run away or turn your back to it.

• Calmly back away instead.

• You can also try to scare it away by making loud noises and acting aggressively.

• Refrain from letting pets run free.

• If they are outside, keep them on a leash and have a close eye on them.

• Otherwise, keep pets indoors, especially at night.

Encounters or attacks on humans by coyotes are occurring more often as “our” land and “their” land grow and lessen.

The best way to avoid conflicts with coyotes:

• Do not feed them (or any other wildlife, for that matter).

• Remove bird feeders from your yards – as when seeds fall to the ground, they attract small animals, which coyotes prey on.

• Do not feed pets outside, as even scraps or morsels left behind may serve as attractants to wildlife.

• Keep garbage can lids tightly secured and take your trash out on the morning of trash pickup, and not the night beforehand.

• If you see a coyote, do not run from it. Much like when seeing a loose dog, be aware of it, yet calmly walk away and go inside if possible.

• Do not let your pets run free and/or unattended.

• If you are out walking your dog, especially after sunset and at night, it is best to refrain from using retractable leashes. If you are too far from your dog, a coyote may only see the dog and not the human that is attached to the dog, given the reach of the retractable leash. Also, if walking after sunset, be extra aware of your surroundings – maybe even keep a flashlight with you, as a deterrent.

Reporting -

Los Angeles Agricultural Commissioner / Weights & Measures

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a75af96a5c3e49feb5f99da0ee293bb5

(Please allow 1-2 business days for Biologists to get back to you once you submit your coyote sighting report.)

Coyote Catcher Website (Research and Data)

CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE

In California, you can report aggressive coyote behavior by calling (714) 935-6848 Monday through Friday, 8 AM–5 PM, during business hours. If the incident occurs after hours or on a holiday, you can call

(714) 259-1122 and leave a detailed voicemail.

If a coyote bites a human, you can call the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at (888) 334-2258.

City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Services Wildlife Division.

https://www.laanimalservices.com/sites/default/files/documents/wildlife_coyotes.pdf

State of California Fish & Wildlife / Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Coyotes

https://wildlife.ca.gov/HWC/Coyotes

Preventing Conflicts:

Whether you live in an urban, residential, rural or remote area of California, wild animals are our neighbors. As our human population expands into wildlife habitat, human-wildlife interactions have increased. Most wild animals, including coyotes, naturally avoid or fear humans. Coyotes are at increased risk of becoming food conditioned or habituated due to increased access to non-natural food sources. Some people do not realize the harm in feeding wild animals or preventing access to attractants.

Coyote Hazing:

Coyote hazing is the act of scaring or startling a coyote using loud noises, aggressive body language, and harmless projectiles to restore its natural fear of humans. This method keeps neighborhoods safe by teaching wild animals that people and yards are off-limits.

How to Haze a Coyote:

Stand tall and look big: Raise your arms, open your jacket, or wave objects like a stick or umbrella above your head.

Make loud noises: Yell firmly (such as "Go away, coyote!"), clap your hands, or use an air horn, whistle, or shaker can filled with pennies.

Throw small items: Toss rocks, sticks, or tennis balls toward the coyote to startle it, but do not aim directly to injure the animal.

Spray water: Use a garden hose, water pistol, or motion-activated sprinkler.

Maintain the pressure: Keep hazing until the coyote fully leaves the area, even if it stops and looks back. Safety Rules

Never run away: Running can trigger a coyote's instinct to chase.

Protect pets: Pick up small pets or keep dogs on a short leash (under 6 feet) before starting.

Know when not to haze: Do not haze sick or injured coyotes, animals trapped with nowhere to run, or females near an active den or young pups. Contact local animal services or wildlife authorities instead.