Coyote sightings are on the rise in Los Angeles. What should you do when you come across one?
Liz Bondy with the Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner’s office told KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian that you should never turn your back on a coyote or run away.
“Back away slowly like you would do to a bear,” she said.
She added that if you’re walking with a pet, use a tighter leash rather than a retractable one.
“Just so you have more control over the situation,” she said. “And then I would start bringing a noisemaker on your walks. So tying a whistle to your leash so you don’t forget it, or having an air horn, having a garbage bag, or a coyote shaker.”
Bondy said that some coyotes have gotten used to seeing people and aren’t as afraid of them as they used to be.
City leaders in West Hollywood say public education may be the best way to deal with coyotes. Officials started a Coyote Management and Coexisting Plan with the goal of “humanely and effectively preventing and solving conflicts among coyotes, people and companion animals.”