You may have seen the signs posted by Sacramento County park rangers warning visitors of coyotes around the American River Parkway, but now they want visitors to be extra cautious. “It’s mating season for coyotes now. It’s typically from about January to March, so you may see more coyotes out there. And if you do see them, they may be a little more aggressive,” said Ken Casparis, spokesperson for Sacramento County Parks.Male coyotes tend to be more aggressive as they search for partners and prey, such as smaller dogs. “He’s coyote food,” said Michael Barger, who loves to walk the parkway in William B Pond recreation area with his corgi, Dewey. He expressed some concern about encountering coyotes.”I’m not too worried about a single coyote,” said Barger, but acknowledged that coyotes often travel in packs.The county’s leash law is in place partly due to the threat coyotes pose to small dogs. “I know people like to let their animal run free, but that’s when a coyote is going to take advantage of the situation,” said John Poimiroo, a volunteer with the American River Bike Patrol. Volunteers said they see coyotes every time they ride the bike trail. “They live here, and we live here, too. We’re neighbors. And those coyotes, this is their home, and they’re looking for food,” Poimiroo said. “We go to Safeway. They go to the parks.”Dana Miller-Blair, another trail user, shared her experience of encountering a coyote while walking her dog. “I was walking my little dog at dusk by myself on the bike trail, and there was a coyote stalking us,” she said. “But in that case, you just pick up your little dog, and you move quickly to where there are more people.”Barger remains cautious of coyotes.”I will definitely be on the lookout for coyotes,” he said.Despite the increased presence of coyotes, the county reports there have been no coyote attacks this year.Casparis said park visitors can report non-emergency incidents in the American River Parkway by calling Ranger dispatch at 916-875-7275. For active emergencies, please call 911. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
You may have seen the signs posted by Sacramento County park rangers warning visitors of coyotes around the American River Parkway, but now they want visitors to be extra cautious.
“It’s mating season for coyotes now. It’s typically from about January to March, so you may see more coyotes out there. And if you do see them, they may be a little more aggressive,” said Ken Casparis, spokesperson for Sacramento County Parks.
Male coyotes tend to be more aggressive as they search for partners and prey, such as smaller dogs.
“He’s coyote food,” said Michael Barger, who loves to walk the parkway in William B Pond recreation area with his corgi, Dewey.
He expressed some concern about encountering coyotes.
“I’m not too worried about a single coyote,” said Barger, but acknowledged that coyotes often travel in packs.
The county’s leash law is in place partly due to the threat coyotes pose to small dogs.
“I know people like to let their animal run free, but that’s when a coyote is going to take advantage of the situation,” said John Poimiroo, a volunteer with the American River Bike Patrol.
Volunteers said they see coyotes every time they ride the bike trail.
“They live here, and we live here, too. We’re neighbors. And those coyotes, this is their home, and they’re looking for food,” Poimiroo said. “We go to Safeway. They go to the parks.”
Dana Miller-Blair, another trail user, shared her experience of encountering a coyote while walking her dog.
“I was walking my little dog at dusk by myself on the bike trail, and there was a coyote stalking us,” she said. “But in that case, you just pick up your little dog, and you move quickly to where there are more people.”
Barger remains cautious of coyotes.
“I will definitely be on the lookout for coyotes,” he said.
Despite the increased presence of coyotes, the county reports there have been no coyote attacks this year.
Casparis said park visitors can report non-emergency incidents in the American River Parkway by calling Ranger dispatch at 916-875-7275. For active emergencies, please call 911.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel