PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A coyote attacked a small dog in the area of Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh officials warned Thursday.
Pittsburgh Public Safety placed an alert from Animal Care and Control on X, formerly known as Twitter, alerting residents of the attack. Authorities did not provide further details and it was unclear whether the dog survived or suffered any injuries.
Public Safety reminded residents not to leave pet food or unsafe trash outside, saying that removing food sources is the most effective way to keep coyotes away. Pittsburgh law requires residents to keep their trash in a can with a lid.
Pittsburgh Animal Care & Control is alerting the public about a coyote attack on a small dog in the area of Mt. Washington.
A reminder not to leave pet food or unsafe trash outside, as removing food sources is the most effective way to keep coyotes away.https://t.co/ qw8c3z7PDX pic.twitter.com/pd2LqgfHAS
— Pittsburgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) March 14, 2024
In November, officials warned about an increase in coyote sightings around some parks.
A public service announcement from Animal Care and Control, Humane Action Pittsburgh and police tells residents that coyotes have lived in Pittsburgh for years and although they are generally nocturnal and rarely seen, seeing of one a day is no cause for alarm.
Coyotes that don’t run away when they encounter a person are likely habituated to people, Shannon Dickerson with Humane Action Pittsburgh said in the video. This usually happens when a coyote is fed by humans.
If you see a coyote that isn’t afraid of people, experts say “haze,” or scare, it. That means being loud and big by shouting and waving your arms.
Became neighbors in nearby Green Tree talking about an increase in coyote sightings.
“When they hear about one on the street or in the neighborhood, they’re more likely to look for it,” said Game Warden Sgt. Matt Kramer told KDKA-TV in an interview last month.
Kramer said that doesn’t mean there has been any increase in the coyote population. He also wanted to make it clear that coyotes aren’t more aggressive during mating season, they’re just hungry.
“Food resources are at their lowest point for any species of wildlife, including coyotes, so from February to March it’s a tough life out there in the forest,” he said.
That means coyotes can expand their range to find food. Again, Kramer says it comes back to not leaving food outside that would attract wild animals.
