Some unwelcome guests are showing up in Fishers.
Coyotes usually stay about as far away from people as they can. But now, people say they are showing no fear - literally walking right up to homes.
Residents say they're not taking any chances with wild animals and are being more careful with their pets.
"This was at noon in the middle of the day. It came right up and it was walking right by the house and sniffing things," said Fishers resident Ron Grahn.
Right after spotting the coyote in the Avalon of Fishers, near 126th Street and Olio Road, Grahn posted it online and learned real quick, he's not the only one who has seen the wild animal.
"Like it was out for a Sunday stroll," Grahn said.
After spotting the wild animal in his backyard, he is careful about letting his family's dog, "Lilly" outside.
"Then it went down to the culvert, around the lake, then onto the lake because it was frozen, and then over to the people's house across the lake and stood there," Grahn said.
Proof of the coyote's visit is in the pictures Ron was able to snap. Surprised by the wild animal's casual mid-day visit, he posted the photos online, which uncovered even more sightings.
"A few other people had commented that they have seen them along the trail before, but never during the day," Grahn said.
But conservation officers with the Department of Natural Resources are not surprised. Especially since large, isolated wooded areas across central Indiana are becoming more rare.
"As urban sprawl continues, we're pushing out into the habitat of all our wild animals," said DNR Conservation Officer Angie Goldman.
While Goldman says coyote attacks are not unread of, they are rare, and avoidable for the most part.
"Typically, they are not dangerous. They are not a menace. If you see one, if you keep your distance, he will keep his distance," she said. "If you've got a small dog and know you got coyotes in the area, or an outdoor cat, keep an eye on it or keep it on a leash, or when you let it out, make sure you stay with it."
Even with that advice from the DNR, homeowners in Fishers are not taking any chances with the wild animals.
