Coyote Threat Increases State Wide

Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals says growing numbers of coyotes in neighborhoods around the state bring a growing danger of rabies. 

State Public Health Veterinarian Gary A. Balsamo says people shouldn't touch coyotes, dead or alive, because their saliva could carry the rabies virus. He says don't leave pet food outside, and keep garbage in tightly sealed containers that cannot be tipped over, because pet food and garbage - and the rodents they bring - attract coyotes. More advice: don't leave children and small pets outside on their own; report any coyote sighting to local animal control; and if a coyote is aggressive, call 911.