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Coyote Story

Another insomnia night. I took my dog outside around midnight so he could use the restroom. As I approached the door I saw a dog running lose and flying by the window. I a second till it was clear and let my dog out. Then I see this dog again, as it ran from behind my apartment past the pond in a matter of seconds. This thing was fast. Plus being dark it was kinda added to the freakiness.

Anyway, I walk in the opposite direction (was also taking the trash out) when I go no further than 20 feet toward the drive way. Less than a minute this dog has run past the next building, around and was 1/2 down the parking lot slowly walking toward us.

My dog who we trained very hard to not be aggressive just froze. I hadn't heard him grown around another dog in over a year and I was a bit freaked out by his growling. Rather than worry about a confrontation between them, I let him in the backseat of my car which I was standing next to, and notice the other dog run away. I Jog over to the trash bin and toss my bag in, jog back, let my dog out and head back for the house.

Freaky but left it as that.

Well I still can't sleep so I go outside for a smoke around 3am. This dog appears again and runs right past me. Down the back yard it stops and looks back. At this point it was in some light and I could get a better look.

Looked like a dog, not one I'm used to maybe a lost husky or something with the white/grayish belly and darker top and pointy ears. I stupidly walk a little closer because it looked like it had a collar on which calmed my nerves and put me in "aww the poor thing is lost in the cold mode".

It stays a good distance away as I slowly get near, and I try to be nonthreatening toward it. A few minutes later I'm about 20-25 feet away from it, in the parking lot and a good bit more light on it.

It let out this creepy bark sound, I notice it's fluffy tail and lack of collar. At this point I figure screw it, and I walk back slowly as it runs away.

My girl has mentioned that there are Coyote's in Ohio and claimed she had heard them before. Me not being from the area or even really knew what one looked like was a bit naive and stupid to push my limits tonight.

Luckily Google images is my friend and here is the best pic that seemed like the dog I saw tonight.

To be honest I always thought they were big animals. It's size was one reason why I didn't feel as threatened, heck it was just a bit bigger than my own dog.

Anyway, lesson learned and a new story for the book of life.

-INeedCoffee well perhaps Decaf lol

created by INeedCoffee on Oct 31, 2008 at 03:56:46 am
updated by INeedCoffee on Oct 31, 2008 at 04:21:21 am
    Comments: 24

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Comments ... #

Nice. And not the first time this has happened. I live over by Ottawa park and there is a fox running around. But I hope to see one of these yotes one day as well.

thanks for sharing.

posted by transcom on Oct 31, 2008 at 05:35:35 am     #



Be careful, that coyote will kill your dog or other household animals given the chance.

posted by hunkytownsausage on Oct 31, 2008 at 07:16:10 am     #



Shouldn't you call animal control if it is a wild animal as such? Wouldn't want it attacking a small child or other animals.

posted by ToledoLatina on Oct 31, 2008 at 07:28:54 am     #



YES - there are coyotes in ohio, my uncle and his neighbors have issues with them right in Wood county, AND - they've been seen right here in Toledo in the farm area near the intersection of Byrne and Angola rds...

So yeah, keep a good eye on your dog.

(as far as the insomnia, go to Bassetts and ask for Valerian Root capsules.

posted by billy on Oct 31, 2008 at 07:30:23 am     #



That's a beautiful animal!

posted by Offshore on Oct 31, 2008 at 08:14:15 am     #



I know that there are lots of coyotes in Monroe County.

Haven't personally seen any in Lucas County, but I guess if they are prevalent in both Monroe and Wood counties, makes sense that they would be in Lucas also.

posted by mom2 on Oct 31, 2008 at 08:24:56 am     #



We have coyotes in Sylvania and Sylvania Township. Coyotes will kill and eat your dog or cat; dogs twice their size are no match for them.

If you're in Sylvania Township, haul out your shotgun and shoot 'em. Coyotes are a trash animal and no good to anyone or anything. Of course, if you try this in the city of Sylvania, mayor Stough's jack booted thugs will throw you and your family in jail, ransack your home and kill your dog. But it's a safety issue, so that's a good thing! Right?

Which illustrates two more reasons people in the township do not want to be part of the city.

posted by madjack on Oct 31, 2008 at 10:03:09 am     #



"are a trash animal and no good to anyone or anything".

Mayors or coyotes?

posted by Offshore on Oct 31, 2008 at 10:29:10 am     #



I live in S.Toledo near MCO and the new Bowsher High School. I have seen coyotes come from the woods along Swam Creek quite often. Animal Control won't do anything. There are so many that they couldn't possibly make a difference. Kinda like calling them for a raccoon.

I have also seen deer by the dozens (even in my front yard), a Red Tail Hawk and various other wildlife from this floodplain.

It's like living in a wildlife refuge in the middle of the city!

posted by KraZyKat on Oct 31, 2008 at 10:35:15 am     #



Mayors or coyotes?

Yes.

posted by billy on Oct 31, 2008 at 10:35:22 am     #



Trash animal? No good?

You are so wrong. They are a very wise, adaptive creature that has done well, despite people like Madjack. Since we've killed off the wolf, the coyote is left to maintain some order on population control. They are a needed piece to the animal puzzle.

For the record, I'm not against them being hunted. Humans and their hunt are also a necessary piece of the puzzle. I'm just against Madjack's erroneous label.

If you live in an area with coyote, take care of your Fido or Stinky the Cat. They could end up being a part of the coyote's population control.

posted by Postal on Oct 31, 2008 at 10:45:39 am     #



I agree with one's right to shoot varmints. On the other hand, control your pets.

I lived in Montana for a while and there was always some kid upsetting the wildlife balance by letting his dog; his protein gobbling symbol of love for all living things (Trevanian), with obligatory bandana, run free because he figured he could do that "out west". Then, the animal would get lost, killed or shot by a rancher.

posted by Offshore on Oct 31, 2008 at 11:09:38 am     #



Lost-one coyote. Answers to whoever or whatever looks yummy at the time. If found, please call 555-555-5555. Miss my little "chomper". lol

posted by hockeyfan on Oct 31, 2008 at 11:22:15 am     #



My buddy lives down in Bowling Green and we just got two of them the other night. He kept losing chickens,so we figured we see exactly what it was that was taking them. Well it was two coyotes. Neither one made it off the property.

posted by lfrost2125 on Oct 31, 2008 at 12:02:18 pm     #



Postal, you are so right, thank you for standing up for our friend the Coyote. The Coyote is vital in keeping down the population of nuisance small animals such as, rabbits, raccoons, rats, mice, pigeons, muskrat, groundhogs and yes, stray cats & dogs.

If not for the Coyote to keep overpopulation down of these other critters, we'd be overrun with them. We need to change the misconception of the the Coyote by the public. It is a benefit to the community. He is our urban tax-free animal control officer - will work for food!

http://news.mongabay.com/2006/0104-osu.html

posted by SillyWabbit on Oct 31, 2008 at 01:24:09 pm     #



Didn't we have the same attitude towards the indians when we first came to america? Trash animals that needed to be removed for our safety? No, that's right, we gave them the option of owning casinos.

posted by hockeyfan on Oct 31, 2008 at 05:42:11 pm     #



My buddy lives down in Bowling Green and we just got two of them the other night. He kept losing chickens,so we figured we see exactly what it was that was taking them. Well it was two coyotes. Neither one made it off the property.

*posted by lfrost2125 on Oct 31, 2008 at 12:02:18 pm *

My, my you're a big strong man.

posted by Ryan on Oct 31, 2008 at 05:49:49 pm     #



Neither one made it off the property.

So there's your good deed for the day. Good shot.

From Ryan: My, my you're a big strong man.

Look, it's a coyote. It isn't anything like the cute, furry little Disney critters you want to get to know on an up close and personal basis. It's a trash animal, like a crow or a feral pig. Don't screw around with it, feed it or try and make friends with it. Shoot it.

posted by madjack on Oct 31, 2008 at 06:14:43 pm     #



I say shoot'em all.

posted by hunkytownsausage on Oct 31, 2008 at 07:17:23 pm     #



I live out on the far western edge of Lucas County surrounded by acres and acres of woods. We have heard coyotes at least 6 or 7 times since we moved here a little more than a year ago. I haven't actually ever seen one, but they have done a very good job of making themselves heard!

posted by justsimplyholly on Oct 31, 2008 at 08:43:33 pm     #



Sorry Ryan we didn't do it to be big strong men we did it out of necessity. Those coyotes were stealing food off of my friends kitchen table so we took care of the problem. I rate coyotes up there with tree rats aka squirrels. Both are very good eating if cooked right though.

posted by lfrost2125 on Oct 31, 2008 at 10:36:12 pm     #



Stud.

posted by Ryan on Nov 01, 2008 at 12:04:47 am     #



OH wow Ryan you just made my day. Now I can sleep at night because I care what you think of me. If ya couldn't tell that was sarcasm.

posted by lfrost2125 on Nov 01, 2008 at 12:41:36 am     #



I was under the impression that alone they wouldn't do much unless your pet was quite small, but they are a very smart pack animal and will hunt for any kind of dog in numbers. Have heard of this in the area south of pburg.

posted by MattL on Nov 01, 2008 at 09:57:27 am     #