I went for a walk (Tampa) and saw a single coyote/wolf. Are they dangerous?

Question

This was within a dense neighborhood. He seemed to be scared and ran away. I keep seeing the grayish animal almost every night.

I'm just worried about my small dog. Should I be more careful now?

Answer 1

The fact that he's in a populated area is somewhat worry-some. You should probably contact your local animal control.

If he seemed scared of you, that's good. Means he's probably not rabid. Keep a close eye on your pets though.

Answer 2

You likely saw a ceyote that is losing it's habitat & very hungry.

You should not feed this animal & also report to game/fish dept. or forestry.

Like any other dog, they can carry rabies.

Due to droughts,over building into wildlife habitat,they often lose their food source & territory.

they will kill pets to stay alive.Calif. has reported many cases where young children have actually been dragged from their yards & viewed as food.

Of course you should have a healthy concern,warn others and report the sightings.

Like other dogs, they are pack animals & don't run alone.It may be a mother looking to feed her young as well.

Do not leave your small animal alone outside.It is easy to jump or dig under fencing.

Check with any nursery for a specific spray that may just help deter wildlife from your yard.They make it for deer deterrent as well.Often the products consist of wolf or large cat urine used to "mark" territory & scare off other species.

Answer 3

You should indeed be careful with your small dog.  That's what the coyote is probably looking for: small animals to eat.  

It is a coyote; a wolf would never venture into town, but coyotes do it all the time.

Coyotes in the US rarely attack humans, especially in a town., Though I do recall a case when a coyote in Los Angeles picked up a 1-year-old and attempted to carry her off.  The Mom chased the coyote away.  I'm pretty sure that coyote didn't last long after that.  The people won't stand for coyotes that harm humans.  They will tolerate coyotes that eat the occasional cat, but any coyote that shows aggression toward humans is doomed.  

A friend of mine was out jogging one day when a group of coyotes came up beside her.  She was scared so she went up onto a nearby porch, but the coyotes ignored her and went on their way.  

This kind of co-existence is pretty common in populated areas.  Even big cities have enough open space to support a few coyotes.

Answer 4

Coyotes are making in ingress into more urban areas because they are havingt rouble finding food in their normal habitat.  [I doubt that you saw a wolf, but it IS possible . . . .]

And yes, they will kill and eat just about any animal smaller than themselves -- including small dogs and cats. I've personally seen this happen - in a city of 2 million!  I've heard rumors of them attacking small children, but I believe this to be "urban legend" as these animals naturally avoid humans unless VERY hungry.

But these animals can carry diseases, especially from ticks and fleas.

You should contact Animal Control, and at least let them know what you'vee seen.  They may not be able to find the animal, but your information may help them "zero in" in an area that is being invaded.

Answer 5

It would be extremely unlikely to be a wolf in an urban area - wolves are shy, wary animals that will avoid humans whenever possible. Coyotes, on the other hand, often live in cities, making a good living from the food we humans throw away. They are much smaller than wolves, with larger ears and a narrower, more pointed muzzle. Neither of these species is dangerous to humans - as I said, wolves are afraid of people (there is no record of a healthy wolf ever attacking a human), and coyotes are too small to risk attacking a person. Your dog, however, is another matter - he/she could be seen as prey or as a rival. If you are with him/her, he/she will be safe, but it would be best not to let him/her out at night on his/her own.

Grey wolves:

http://www.testriffic.com/resultfiles/21...

Coyote:

http://tipt3.utoledo.edu/starters/coyote...

Answer 6

Coyotes and wolves generally only enter big cities when they are without a food source, and starving.  He probably is scared to see you, but he is still dangerous.  Call animal control for the area and advise them that you have seen the animal several times and they will try to capture it and take it pack to its natural habitat.

Answer 7

YOU should only worry about your very small dog or cats. If y see one close you should do something to scare it so it remains afraid of people in your urban setting. Throw a rock. The coyote will not attack you. They have attacked small children left outside alone. A coyote only weighs about 35 pounds about is about the size of a medium sized dog like a border collie or blue heeler. Normally coyotes fear humans and flee on site.

In the 80's a coyote came into a yard in Carlsbad New Mexico and grabbed a small child but the child was rescued. A 3 year old was killed by coyotes in Glendale California in 1981. Attacks on Humans are not urban legend! 43 in five years alone:

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/08/...

http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewco...

I know a man bitten by one that was rabid and I know a small child was grabbed by one in Carlsbad, New Mexico while playing in the yard. I was there in the town when it happened. It was all over the news because its almost unheard of for this to happen.