Game and Fish kill 3 coyotes after biting incidents
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Three coyote attacks on people in north Phoenix is having wildlife experts issue warnings for the area but also for all those in the Valley, an area that has become very hospitable to desert wildlife.
Three coyote attacks on people in north Phoenix is having wildlife experts issue warnings for the area but also for all those in the Valley, an area that has become very hospitable to desert wildlife.
Alexandra Flickinger, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, said people be extra aware of their surroundings if they live near desert areas or anywhere wild animals may live.
That advice comes in response to attacks this past weekend when three people suffered bites from coyotes in separate incidents near Interstate 17 and Happy Valley Road in Phoenix, according to a press release.
All three — including a 4-year-old boy — received medical treatment and rabies shots, Flickinger said on Wednesday.
Wildlife specialists from Arizona Game and Fish were in the area 24/7 “actively looking” for coyotes, she said. The specialists killed three coyotes from the area as of Dec. 13, Flickinger said.
In each biting case, the coyote snuck up from behind the person and bit the person on the ankle or calf area and immediately ran off, she said. The person sustained puncture wounds in each case.
It is possible the coyotes were being fed by humans in the neighborhood, Flickinger said, but officials aren’t sure that was the case with these incidents.
“(Coyotes can) associate the feeding behavior with all humans,” she said.
Officers are posting notices throughout the area letting people know about issue. The incidents happened in the early morning and evening hours, according to Flickinger.
Officials have identified the area bordered by I-17 east to 19th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road north to Jomax Road as where the coyotes have been seen, the press release stated.
Officials don’t believe the coyotes were rabid since the animals weren’t overly aggressive. Instead, the coyote in each case bit the person and immediately ran off, Flickinger said.
Kendra Shapiro of Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale said coyote sitings are common in neighborhoods next to desert backdrops.
“Coyotes are decently common in neighborhoods — especially next to desert areas,” Shapiro said. “(The) reason being is there are the (three) main resources nearby for them. Coyotes seek food, shelter, and water. Homes can provide all three.”
Coyotes have become accustomed to having human neighbors, and foraging among them for food. Shapiro said they are opportunistic hunters and will hunt and eat everything they see.
“They can consume 10 rodents a day, if the opportunity lets them,” she said. “Rodents can be attracted to warmth that a house provides, leftover food from pets, and shelter in dark spaces. More rodents (equals) more coyote sightings.”
Other amenities humans offer coyotes are swimming pools and fountains for a drink or a place to cool down. Landscaping also can provide shade and food for coyotes, Shapiro said.
Coyote sightings are “most common” in the winter as its food sources are less active, Shapiro said.
The wildlife expert offered up some tips if you encounter a coyote or other wildlife:
• Make loud noises by shouting (and) clapping to scare them away only if they are approaching you.
• Spray the coyote with a hose to deter it only if they are approaching you, but avoid hitting its eyes as this may anger it and promote it to get closer to you.
• Throw small rocks in direction of coyote only if they are approaching you without hitting it as this may anger it and promote them to get closer to you.
There have been 28 coyote attacks on people in the Phoenix metro area during the past 26 years, authorities said.
If you have an emergency involving wildlife, you can call the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center at (480) 433-5656.
Brent Ruffner joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2021 where he writes about developments at TSMC and Maricopa County issues, including election topics.
He's written about stories that range from accusations that a Mesa monkey breeding facility is unsafe to what to do if you encounter a rattlesnake in the desert.
Community: He is a supporter of the American Cancer Society.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, May 2007.
Random Fact: He met former San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays at a Phoenix Firebird game after winning a contest for an autographed baseball.
Hobbies: Hiking in the woods and collecting sports memorabilia.
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