Increased coyote sightings in Prince William

Recently there has been an increase in public awareness to the presence of coyotes in our area, to include some suburban neighborhoods. Prince William County Animal Control would like to remind our citizens of the following when it comes to coyote sightings:
Coyotes are classified by the Commonwealth as nuisance/problem wildlife. They are primarily nocturnal, meaning they come out mostly at night; however they are commonly seen during the day in urban and suburban areas and are usually attracted there by a food source or an easily accessed area to make a den such as under porches/decks, crawl spaces or out-buildings. The best way to prevent them from becoming a problem is to not give them a reason to take up residence in your community.
* If anyone in the neighborhood is feeding wildlife directly, or indirectly, it can cause trouble for everybody. Feeding wildlife will cause coyotes and other wildlife to lose their natural fear of humans.
* Keep trash inside until the morning of trash pick-up or place trash in an animal proof container, such as a metal or plastic trashcan with latches on the lids.
* Do not leave pet food outside; keep pet feeding areas clean.
* Remove bird feeders when problem species have been seen around them.
* Close up all openings under and into your buildings. Animals look for places to den and raise their young – don’t give them that opportunity.
* Clear fallen fruit from around trees.
* Keep brushy areas in your yard cut down to prevent cover for coyotes.
* Keep small pets inside, and on a leash when outside; they may be viewed by a coyote as prey. Larger dogs are viewed as a threat particularly from January to June while mating and birthing coyote pups.
* Install coyote proof fencing to protect unsupervised pets.
* Utilize devices that sound an alarm or are loud (I.e. air horns) to scare the coyote away.
* It is also advised that a person make themselves appear big if they are surprised by the animal.
It is illegal in Virginia to trap and relocate an animal to another area.
Call 703-792-6500 for response by an Animal Control Officer and Police Officer if a coyote or other animal exhibits signs of rabies such as stumbling, foaming at the mouth or aggression.
If the above listed techniques do not resolve the problem, you may contact a licensed trapper or a critter removal service. The Prince William County Police Department’s Animal Control Bureau does not routinely respond to nuisance wildlife issues. If you are experiencing a problem with coyotes or other wildlife, please dial the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries toll-free wildlife conflict helpline at 1-855-571-9003.