[quote=bearishgurl]These unwise choices have caused the coyote population living out there to run scared into town. By the time they are able to successfully sprint into my (urban) area 9-10 miles west (near SD Bay), they are emaciated, thirsty and starving. Several small pets of my neighbors have been killed while in their front yards … even tied up (one small dog was killed right in front of its owner)! I’ve helped their distraught owners transport and bury three of these pet bodies where there was just basically eyes, spine and a few entrials left, if that. It’s really sad that Big Development has been allowed to essentially destroy the habitat of these wild animals only to add to the headaches and congestion of the area with overbuilding.[/quote] While Big Development may contribute to the problem, homeowners have also contributed as well as the legislature. Dog food dishes left outside overnight with food in it, uncontrolled trash, leaving little dogs/cats outside overnight (little dog = Chicken McNugget to a coyote). The other problem is that people like to see deer and try to entice them closer to their property. The coyotes follow the deer as well as other wild animals. The final thing that has contributed is that coyotes no longer fear man – in part due to laws now in place. We are not legally allowed to take action against coyotes on or around our property (as if coyotes don’t learn and adapt).