Bonnie Nicholls | Uptown News

Community concerns about mid-day coyote sightings and two reported fatal attacks on dogs in South Park are prompting the City of San Diego to place warning signs at the local dog park.

The signs will go up on the kiosk at the entrance to the Grape Street Dog Park and near the restroom, according to Bill Harris, spokesman for the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. The signs will warn residents that coyotes inhabit surrounding areas and to keep an eye on their pets. They will also instruct residents to report coyote incidents to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services.

One of the reported attacks took place at the dog park last month. Another occurred more recently while the dog was outside with its owner in the front yard.

The coyotes are coming up out of the canyons and are “more visible,” said Melinda Lee, a 35-year resident with two large dogs. “They’re up in the streets more.”

She’s seen one on her neighbor’s front lawn, and she even saw a coyote near The Big Kitchen. Neighbors who use NextDoor.com regularly report sightings, calling attention to street locations and times of day. Coyotes usually hunt from dusk to dawn, and before this year were rarely spotted in the middle of the day.

“They’re losing their fear of us. We need to re-instill that fear,” said Dan DeSousa, deputy director of the County Department of Animal Services, adding that coyotes are smart, opportunistic and adaptable. He said the county doesn’t know how many coyotes live in San Diego.

His department and the Fund for Animals advocate coyote hazing to discourage coyotes from feeling comfortable around humans. Hazing includes creating noise, such as using whistles or small air horns, yelling at them, anything to scare them off. Other strategies including squirting coyotes with water or installing motion and light sensors in one’s yard. All of that shows coyotes “that you can’t come in my backyard and eat my dogs,” said Kim D’Amico, animal care specialist at the Fund for Animals.

Other tips include not feeding coyotes, not leaving dog or cat food outside, picking up fallen fruit (because coyotes will eat that too), keeping trash cans inside or with the lids on, and spraying pepper or ammonia around trash cans.

“The issue is it’s easier to eat something out of a bowl than to catch a rabbit,” DeSousa. “They have always been here, and we’re making it very easy for them to survive and thrive.”

Coyotes can also jump over a five-foot chain-link fence, so if these wild animals are coming into your yard, DeSousa suggested installing a coyote “roller,” a metal cylinder mounted to the top of your fence to keep coyotes from getting a foothold, which can be made with PVC pipe or something similar.

The normal coyote diet is ground squirrels, rabbits, gophers, moles, rats, even lizards, as well fruits and vegetables. They are generally nomadic, and will stay in an area only as long as there’s food. Pupping season was in March and April, even as late as May, and they have babies to feed. They will protect their dens if they feel threatened.

“They’re part of the ecosystem. They keep it in check,” D’Amico said.

The state will not relocate coyotes, according to Janice Mackey, information officer for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. If, however, a coyote attacked someone, that would become a public safety issue, and the animal would be immediately trapped and euthanized, she said.

“We’ve learned in the past that killing isn’t doing anything for them,” D’Amico said, adding that it is illegal for a member of the public to trap and relocate coyotes. “They’re part of the ecosystem. They keep it in check.”

Since relocating coyotes isn’t an option, it’s up to residents to discourage coyotes from considering local pets a food source.

“We have to be smart. We live among canyons,” said Lisa Vella, co-owner of the South Bark Dog Wash.

Lee agreed. “If you have a cat or a tiny dog, you need to understand coyotes are right outside your door,” she said “You’re not safe, even if you’re far from the canyon.”

When walking a dog, there’s a simple solution to deterring a coyote from running off with your pet.

“There’s a reason you walk your dog on a leash,” DeSousa said. “It’s to control your animal.”

For more information about coyote hazing and awareness, go to Project Coyote at coyoteproject.com/ or Keep Me Wild at ca.gov/keepmewild/coyote.html.