BEECH GROVE, Ind. (WTHR) - A coyote caught on camera in a Beech Grove yard serves as a heads up to pet owners.
Andrew Stephens shared video on social media of the coyote walking through his yard on E. Sumner Avenue Thursday. Stephens said the coyote was carrying a dead cat in its mouth as it walked.
He told Eyewitness News it's common to see wildlife, including foxes, in the area and that neighbors had seen coyotes in the area before.
The Indiana DNR said late last year to expect to see more coyotes in urban areas in the winter months as they search for food, including mice and squirrels that may hang around bird feeders.
"If you start seeing a coyote and you have bird feeders up, taking them down for a few weeks may encourage a coyote to move on,” says Jessica Merkling, DNR north region urban biologist.
Small pets are also a potential target for coyotes and the DNR recommends keeping your pets leashed when they're outside.
If you see a coyote and want it to go away, try to make it uncomfortable. Yell, wave your arms, spray it with a hose, or throw tennis balls or small stones—but don’t throw anything that it may think is food. Noisemakers such as a jar of coins or a small air horn can also scare away coyotes and are good to carry when venturing out.
