
Louisiana Pet Owners Warned About Threat in Your Yard
If you are a Louisiana pet owner, you probably spend much time and money on your babies. Most pet owners in Louisiana consider their pets a part of their family.
In the last few days, there have been four different requests on just one social media app to "be on the lookout" in their area for missing cats.
Pets are curious; some are indoor pets, and some are outdoor pets, but because of the time of year, we need to think a little harder about when and how we let our pets out.
If you are used to just letting your pet wander around your backyard or you let your cat roam the neighborhood, this might change your mind.
What Makes January And February Months To Be Cautious About Your Pets?
This time of year is coyote mating season, and in both populated and sparsely populated areas, coyotes are roaming around, looking for eating and mating opportunities.
According to Ground News, coyote mating season runs from January through early April.
The Louisiana Fur Advisory Council says that coyotes can migrate 30 to 40 miles from where their females might be. Male coyotes also tend to their mates, coyotes and litters, and coyotes mate for life.
The following report from KTAL News in Shreveport shows how a family's dog was snatched by a coyote and taken away.
Be aware this is a graphic video:
These animals will look for something to help feed their brood. If you think you will never see a coyote in your yard, think again. A St. Martin Parish resident told KLFY Channel 10 in 2024,
St. Martin Parish resident Glenn Maturin of Cecilia told Channel 10,
We used to raise rabbits, and they actually broke into a cage and ate a few.
On Tuesday, January 28, a man posted on Facebook that he had seen a coyote roaming in the area of Bordelon Road and the I-10 Frontage Road.
On Saturday, January 11, the Facebook group Sulphur-Carlyss Information had a member post about seeing a coyote by Sulphur High off of Ash Street.
What prompted us to do this story is a post we saw a few weeks ago from a gentleman with a video of coyotes taking pets. And, if you think they don't adapt to city life, our sources say they do. It's good to consider, especially if you have smaller cats and/or dogs.
Most owners don't think twice about letting their pets roam in their fenced-in yards, but you might want to rethink the plan. A coyote is doing what it is naturally made to do: find food for himself, his lifetime mate, and their litter.
What Can You Do To Protect Your Dog From Coyotes?
According to the American Kennel Club, you should get a coyote vest for your small dog. It's made of kevlar, the same material in bullet-proof vests that police officers wear. AKC has other great advice, and it is as follows:
- Walk your dog on a leash, and since coyotes are wary of people, your pet will be closer to you, and the coyote may not approach.
- Bring along something that makes a thunderous noise, like a dog whistle, a horn, or any other items that will be startling to the coyote.
- Don't leave your pet outside alone.
- Install coyote-proofing fencing.
- Make your yard as bright as possible at night, as it will make most of them disappear.
- "Your dog's feces can attract coyotes to your property."
We hope that during this mating season, all of your pets are safe.
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Gallery Credit: Sophia June
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