02/20/2024
🚫 Myth: “Coyotes lure dogs back to their pack!”
✅ Fact: The false belief that coyotes intentionally lure dogs back to their packs is based on misunderstanding rather than scientific evidence.
We've all heard variations of the myth suggesting that cunning coyotes deliberately lure unsuspecting dogs back to their pack for an ambush. While coyotes are intelligent animals, there's no evidence to support the idea of premeditated luring.
Coyotes generally target smaller wild prey such as rodents and rabbits. Small dogs can sometimes be viewed as prey, underscoring the importance of never leaving them unattended outdoors. Larger dogs can be perceived as competition or threats, and coyotes will defend themselves and their families.
In many reported cases of dogs being “lured” by coyotes, it is often a result of the dog's own curiosity. Off-leash dogs may follow or investigate a coyote out of their own volition, which may cause the coyote to retreat closer to other family members for safety. If threatened, coyotes will defend their lives and their family against intruders, just like many other species.❗ Remember to never let companion animals approach wild animals or go off leash in wildlife habitat.
Coyotes, like most wild animals, want to avoid physical confrontation that could result in injuries—so they may engage in various intimidation tactics to prompt your dog to leave an area, such as bluff charges or displaying threatening body language. These "threat displays" aim to scare the dog away without resorting to physical contact. However, if the dog persists or confronts the coyote, the situation may escalate.
🐶🐺 View our “Dogs and Coyotes: What You Need To Know” brochure: http://tinyurl.com/a93mtrfh
Thank you for practicing responsible animal guardianship!
📷 Sheryl Hester,