How to keep your pet safe during coyote mating season in San Diego County

Coyote sightings have increased across San Diego County as mating season begins. Wildlife experts share safety tips to protect pets and families.

SAN DIEGO — Coyotes are on the move across San Diego County, and wildlife experts say residents should be prepared.

While coyotes are known to roam neighborhoods near canyons, sightings have been reported throughout the region. With pupping season just starting, understanding how to safely coexist with these animals is crucial.

Coyotes have been spotted in Pacific Beach and other urban neighborhoods, scaling fences and prowling around.

“You’re seeing them a little bit more right now, as they’re running across various territories trying to find a mate in time,” said Autumn Welch, wildlife operations manager at San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife, who specializes in coyotes.

Breeding season started this month and runs until March, when pups are born. The topic has become a hot discussion on Nextdoor.

“At this time when they’re establishing their den sites, it’s good to keep all bushes and trees kind of cut down. They will look for shrubs and bushes that they can create a den in, so just keeping those trimmed up, we also recommend not really having bird baths or feeders, even keeping your garbage enclosed and making sure it’s not available to them,” Welch said.

In December, two children were bitten by a coyote near the UTC mall. Welch says such incidents are extremely rare.

“It is very rare that a coyote would attack or bite a human. It does not happen very often at all,” she said.

In 2022, a father in the Los Angeles area was getting items out of his car when a coyote snatched his 2-year-old daughter. The dad’s fast reactions saved his child — he screamed and threw rocks until the coyote ran away.

In other cases, a coyote may follow you as a defensive measure.

“They’re pretty skittish animals, but they will try to make sure you don’t come too close to their pups,” Welch said.

Welch says often in these cases, the coyote has habituated to a neighborhood where it’s found a food source.

“They will eat everything from persimmons and figs to trash to rodents,” she said.

To make your property less appealing, Welch recommends bringing pet food inside and securing trash cans.

If you encounter a coyote, make your presence known by waving your arms and yelling.

“If for any reason, the coyotes continue to walk towards you or near your pet. Any small pets, we recommend picking up and holding on to them, but you can also grab a rock or a stick, throw things at them, yell at them, and they’ll usually run off,” Welch said.

She also recommends not leaving pets outside alone and keeping them on a leash during walks.

“Coyotes, they are good jumpers. They can clear at least six foot fences. So some people would put in dig barriers so they can’t dig under or some type of coyote rollers, which attach to the top of your fence, just in case, if you live near some canyons or areas that they may frequent, it’s just a good extra step,” she said.

Welch’s final advice: maintain situational awareness year-round, especially when taking your dog for a walk.

The San Diego Humane Society has a webpage dedicated to co-existing with coyotes. To learn more click here.