Really strange and interesting Coyote experience

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by RP

Possibly a rabid coyote since they are generally nocturnal????

Foaming at the mouth
Foaming at the mouth is the symptom most associated with rabies. The foaming occurs because the coyote is having trouble swallowing his saliva due to the virus. Any coyote seen foaming at the mouth should be avoided, and 911 should be called immediately if the coyote is near a residential area.

Extreme Aggression
Coyotes are typically curious animals, but do not often display aggressive behavior towards humans. Therefore, if you encounter a coyote that is acting aggressive (stalking, growling, biting, etc) there is a good chance it has rabies. Once again, authorities should be alerted immediately.

Erratic or Lethargic Behavior
If you observe a coyote that is stumbling or displaying other erratic behavior, such as colliding with objects or eating atypical things, it should be avoided and reported. At the other extreme, lethargic or paralyzed behavior also can be a sign of rabies.

Considered that when he first appeared but 1# he still alive and #2 None of those behaviors being displayed

[Tico]

Originally Posted by Truckjohn

Contact the local animal control. Or consider a live trap baited with a can of cat food.

Unfortunately - a yote close to people often means a dead one... Better to relocate him someplace wild... Corn/wheat field country is often a much better choice than "The forest". Mice and bugs to eat aplenty....

Actually, I know of densely populated huge cities with roaming yotes that are protected by law.
Unless they are witnessed actually threatening humans animal control will not respond.
Rather, they tell you yotes have the same right to be there as any other wild animal in the city, birds, possums, coons, etc.
They won't even relocate it.

They just tell you to scare it away by banging pots and to keep your pets inside.

[Herb Hunter]

I’m inclined to think that the coyote would like to join your pack, the desire perhaps triggered by the presence of the Australian shepherd puppy.

It is also possible that the lonely one is a coyote/dog hybrid hence the absence of fear of humans.

[RP]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Considered that when he first appeared but 1# he still alive and #2 None of those behaviors being displayed

Good to hear. By your admission, the coyote's behavior is very strange, and so rabies was the first thing that came to my mind. Several years ago we had an instance nearby of a black bear (without cubs and in the open i.e. not cornered) that attacked two men in a John Deer Gator adjacent to Shenandoah National Park and atop the Blue Ridge Mountains. The attack was unprovoked, and one of the men was able to shoot and kill the bear. The brain was removed and sent off for testing, and the bear proved to have had rabies. http://www.readthehook.com/103234/ha...-royal-orchard This was the first recorded case in Virginia history. Googling "rabid coyote" and you'll find many documented cases.

My point is to consider the possibility, be safe and act accordingly....

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Truckjohn

Contact the local animal control. Or consider a live trap baited with a can of cat food.

Unfortunately - a yote close to people often means a dead one... Better to relocate him someplace wild... Corn/wheat field country is often a much better choice than "The forest". Mice and bugs to eat aplenty....

Yes wild animals habituated to humans can end poorly for the critter. Would only consider trapping or authorities if it becomes a real problem as opposed to so far simply an interesting situation.

He actually is by comparison already someplace wild

He lives up behind this hill looking west which starting at our buckrail fence is a 1200 acre ranch, then beyond that is the Roosevelt National forest



View from our front pasture looking south

[cmd612]

Originally Posted by Tico

Actually, I know of densely populated huge cities with roaming yotes that are protected by law.
Unless they are witnessed actually threatening humans animal control will not respond.
Rather, they tell you yotes have the same right to be there as any other wild animal in the city, birds, possums, coons, etc.
They won't even relocate it.

They just tell you to scare it away by banging pots and to keep your pets inside.

I live in one of those big cities with coyotes, and we are very careful of our dogs, especially at night. We're in a part of the U.S. where many of the coyotes are actually coydogs or coywolves. Some of them are huge. There have been rabid ones captured not far from here, too.

I don't think trapping is particularly effective. I heard someone compare it to trying to empty a stream by scooping water out with a bucket - it just gets replaced by more.

edit to add: Wow, KevWind. I have some serious pasture-envy. Gorgeous place!

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by RP

Good to hear. By your admission, the coyote's behavior is very strange, and so rabies was the first thing that came to my mind. Several years ago we had an instance nearby of a black bear (without cubs and in the open i.e. not cornered) that attacked two men in a John Deer Gator adjacent to Shenandoah National Park and atop the Blue Ridge Mountains. The attack was unprovoked, and one of the men was able to shoot and kill the bear. The brain was removed and sent off for testing, and the bear proved to have had rabies. http://www.readthehook.com/103234/ha...-royal-orchard This was the first recorded case in Virginia history. Googling "rabid coyote" and you'll find many documented cases.

My point is to consider the possibility, be safe and act accordingly....

To be sure but considering the life expectancy is about 10 days we are a week and a 1/2 beyond that.

[KevWind]

here are some snaps of our pack

This is my wife and I's, 12 week old pup and our year and 1/2 male, shot minutes ago on our stairs




And this is my daughter and son in law dogs taken about 6 months ago. 8 year old rescued female left and the full brother to our male, right.This is at the top of our walk trail about 3/4 mile from house.


There is also a black bear that lives in this area who we have had on our deck at night a couple of times

[Tico]

Beautiful dogs!

I'm so jealous of where you live.
Would you like to rescue another dog ... me?

[Kerbie]

Wow... love those views, Kev!

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Tico

Beautiful dogs!

I'm so jealous of where you live.
Would you like to rescue another dog ... me?

Here Tico, here Tico good boy. You will have to get a blue merle full body tattoo

[Acousticado]

What a beautiful landscape. Kev, I bet you don’t even have to cut the grass there, do you? Lucky dog!

[Tico]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Here Tico, here Tico good boy. You will have to get a blue merle full body tattoo

..........
LOL

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

What a beautiful landscape. Kev, I bet you don’t even have to cut the grass there, do you? Lucky dog!

Thanks, I am fortunate to have a great view, we have 35 acres and actually I do have mow about about 12 of the 17.5 acres the house sits on, the other 17.5 is in open space and left natural .

But it is fairly quick with this 37 HP Kabota



and this 6 ft brush hog/mower on the back

[srick]

Originally Posted by HHP

Given the canine reliance on smell, maybe pull a "Cool Hand Luke" and leave some pepper and ground chili in your tracks when walking the dogs.

I'm thinking that Kev should mark his territory as demonstrated in the movie, "Never Cry Wolf."