Coyote stalks at Cedar Creek trail in the Village

Yesterday, I was walking my Golden Retriever Harry, out at Cedar Creek trail in the Village between 6 and 7 a.m. I was approached by a woman coming out of the trail saying she saw what she thought was a big fox following her and her two dogs as she walked the end of the trail. I asked her if it might have been a coyote. I had an incident with a coyote on the Cedar Creek trail last year.

The woman had never seen a coyote before and did not know what she had seen. The above is a picture of a coyote. This is what is stalking Cedar Creek trail. Yesterday, before Harry and I finished the second branch of the trail to the right of parking lot A, we were being stalked by a coyote.

I picked up a small thick stick to help protect us if needed. I saw the coyote before Harry did because I was on alert. The coyote growled first getting Harry's attention. A growling fest ensued. The coyote was getting closer so I raised my one arm with the stick and started yelling in a deep growling voice for the coyote to go away. I was loud and threatening. All the while Harry and I were hurrying back to the car.

This coyote was more aggressive than the one Harry and I encountered last year. There were no warning signs up at the start of the trails advising to be on the lookout for coyotes. I know there is wildlife in the Village but  repeated coyote encounters in the same place is very dangerous. Villagers need to know there are coyotes in the Village and they are dangerous and finding food in the area of Village walking trails.

Last year after my encounter with the coyote one of the Hot Springs Village police officers told me the coyotes often send out a female to attract domestic dogs. To play with a dog and entice it to follow. Then the pack will eat the dog.

After the encounter I spent time on the internet seeing if my actions were the right way to handle the predator and what I should do if it ever happens again. Needless to say, I won't be walking Harry at Cedar Creek again. But, coyotes have been sited around the Village not just in that one area. I want to be prepared.

This information came from a site for coyote problems in Virginia.

"Tolerating coyotes around your residence may result in coyotes becoming less wary of your presence or actions. Such behavior may result in coyotes becoming bold and even aggressive around humans. It is the responsibility of everyone living in a residential community to dissuade coyotes from occupying or using space in areas frequented by humans. When coyotes attempt to extend their living space to include space around your residence, find a safe position that affords you an opportunity to escape an unlikely attack, and yell, throw non-edible objects in the direction of the coyote, or otherwise convey to any “trespassing” animal  that it is not welcome in your space."

Other sites gave more advice for this time of year.


"PEOPLE: Approaching any wildlife may provoke an encounter if the animal feels cornered or restricted in movement. This is particularly true of animals that have become accustomed to the presence of humans and their activities as a consequence of being fed, or because of access to a readily available food source such as pet food or refuse in a garbage can or compost pile. Be aware that coyotes in other states have attacked and severely injured small toddlers when left unattended for even a short period of time. Although the likelihood of such an attack is very remote, never leave small children unattended in areas frequented by coyotes.Consider removing habitat that provides protective cover for coyotes and their prey such as small rodents. Modifying such habitat around residential areas will dissuade coyotes from using the space as a part of a territory or home range and will reduce the likelihood of conflicts."

"PETS: The territorial nature of predatory coyotes poses a real risk to small, free-roaming dogs and cats. Keep small dogs restrained on a leash when walking them outdoors and avoid walking in areas where coyotes are raising their pups from March through August. Be aware that there have been a few recorded instances of coyotes attacking small dogs on a leash. Small dogs and cats are also vulnerable to attacks by coyotes when tethered outside of your house or even on your porch. Small dogs and cats should be kept in an enclosure when kept outdoors in order to prevent coyotes from attacking and killing a pet animal. Even though a fence may dissuade coyotes from attacking your pet, be aware that coyotes can jump over fences
less than 7-feet high and can climb over taller fencing that does not have an outward slanting overhang."

I don't expect the POA to rid the Village of wildlife but a little signage alerting Villagers as to what a coyote looks like and what to do in an encounter would be helpful. Signage on the trails, especially Cedar Creek is now necessary.