Safety measures, vigilance needed to protect pets from predators

  • Published
  • By Gary Hatch
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Being a small community surrounded by several hundred square miles of desert means special safety measures need to be taken to prevent wild animals from harming pets or possibly family members, base officials said. 

Those precautions, if taken by everyone, can greatly reduce the chance of problems with wildlife across the whole community. But if some ignore the dos and don'ts they can cause problems for their neighbors.
 
Recently a pet dog was attacked by a coyote that jumped the wall into a backyard in the Mountain View housing area. The dog survived the attack, but required treatment by a veterinarian.
 
Base biologists are not aware of any wild animal attacks on humans at Edwards or in the Antelope Valley area, but there have been reports of coyotes attacking children earlier this year near Chino Hills, between Los Angeles and Riverside. 

It is not uncommon to lose a pet or two each year to coyotes, or other predators like bobcats or owls, base biologists say. However, the base wants to get a more accurate idea of the extent of the problem. A survey will go out to all housing residents asking them to report any wildlife attacks they have personally encountered on base. This will help the base determine if the attacks are from a random animal taking advantage of an opportunity, or if there is a pattern of behavior. The information gained will help the base in responding to this issue.
 
Regardless of what is learned by the survey, education and subsequent actions taken by housing residents can greatly reduce the likelihood of problems with wildlife.
 
"We live in a desert, which we share with a large number of wild animals, said Col. Nancy Wharton, 95th Air Base Wing vice commander. 

"We can't get rid of all the animals in the desert, and if we were to try to trap or remove all those near the housing areas, others would move in to take advantage of the easy access to food, water and shelter," she said. 

That being said, if the base learns through its surveys that there are coyotes or other predators targeting backyard pets, then those particular animals may need to be removed. Once a predator learns a behavior like that it is extremely difficult to get the animal to stop, base biologists say.
 
"One thing is clear. We need to become a better educated community and take all the steps we can to discourage the wild animals from frequenting our housing areas," Col. Wharton said. 

Coyotes and other desert animals will usually try to avoid people at all costs. They may stop and stare for a few seconds, but from a safe distance. These same animals, however, are often attracted to the conditions that people create. Sometimes the ready access to food, water and shelter will outweigh an animal's natural apprehension. 

The key is to eliminate as many attractants as possible to all forms of wildlife.
 
"There will always be some contact between humans and the wild animals in the desert," said Mark Bratton, a base biologist with Environmental Management. "But we need to do all we can do to discourage them from lingering." 

"We not only need to remove all food sources for predators like coyotes and bobcats, we need to stop feeding the smaller animals, like rabbits and squirrels. Feeding the smaller animals will bring the predators," he said. 

Base biologists offer the following suggestions to base residents to discourage visits from coyotes or other wild animals.
 
· Do not leave food or water outside. Cat and dog food attracts hungry coyotes and other animals. 

· Do not leave small pets ― cats, domestic rabbits and small dogs ― outside unattended, especially at night. 

· Trim bushes and shrubs to minimize hiding places or shady spots. 

· When trash is not being collected, secure garbage cans so they cannot easily be knocked down or rummaged through. Use rope or elastic cord to secure the can to a fence or other immovable object or use one to keep the container closed. 

"Eliminating food, water and shady areas around your home will discourage a coyote from hanging around," Mr. Bratton said. "The less comfortable coyotes feel around us, the better. We want them to maintain their wariness of humans." 

Anyone who encounters a coyote or bobcat in one of the housing areas should keep the following tips in mind: 

· Do not panic or run. 

· Stand straight and make yourself appear tall and large. 

· Be careful not to corner the animal.
 
· Turn your body sideways and slowly walk away from the animal. 

It is unlikely a bobcat will ever attack a human, base biologists said. Bobcats will, however, defend themselves if they feel trapped or to protect their young. 

If a coyote or other predator is threatening to harm a pet or family member, Security Forces is prepared to respond. Base residents can contact Security Forces at 277-3340. 

Other concerns or biological questions may be referred to Environmental Management at 277-1401. 

More information about coyotes can be found on the California Department of Fish and Game Web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/issues/coyote.html.