Coyotes concern residents

Fairfield Twp. residents have spotted coyotes around residential neighborhoods, and some are scared for children and pets.

But since Ohio Department of National Resources wildlife officer for Butler County Aaron Ireland said they can pose a threat to small animals, he hasn’t heard of a coyote attacking a human.

“If you see one and you clap your hands, or you stand there, they should run,” Ireland said.

Amy Comito-Foust first saw coyotes in her Lakewood subdivison last summer. She said they have a higher-pitched howl than a dog, and people can hear them when fire truck sirens are activated.

“It’s frightening,” she said. “I see them at funny times, at dawn or when the sun is setting.”

Comito-Foust said she saw one coyote staring at her through the fence that separates her yard from the woods behind her house.

She said now there are about five, and neighbors told her they’ve seen as many as eight or nine in a pack.

“I’ve seen a few of the deer in the woods running out bleeding from their hind legs, as if something nipped them,” Comito-Foust said. “I’m just concerned for the children and the pets. I’m afraid for them.”

Fairfield Twp. Trustee President Mark Sutton said at the June 23 meeting the board hasn’t received any complaints about coyotes.

Trustee Terry Scharnhorst said while it is legal for a homeowner to shoot a coyote on their property, it’s not recommended to discharge a weapon in a subdivision.

“We’ve got a couple of companies that we’ve contacted to investigate and see if about possibly trapping,” he said.

Ireland said coyotes are often nomadic and can move several miles in a night. If there is a larger pack, or if a habitat allows it, coyotes could stay in one area for a longer period of time. He said coyotes generally follow tree lines and creek corridors.

“If you see them one day, you’ll likely won’t see them the next day,” Ireland said. “For the most part, they’re nocturnal.”

Ireland suggests cleaning up vegetation, not keeping pet food outside, keep an eye on smaller pets and possibly put up a fence.

“Fencing is a good deterrent,” he said. “Coyotes generally don’t like to jump fences, but it’s not to say they won’t. They like to go under something than over something.”

If there is a problem, Ireland suggests hiring a trapping company. For more information, call Ireland at (937) 372-5639, ext. 5207.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com.