Coyotes are wild animals that are found throughout most of North America. While they tend to avoid humans, coyotes that appear sick, injured or abnormally aggressive need to be handled with extreme care for both human and animal safety.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Contact animal control immediately if you encounter a coyote that seems sick. Do not approach the animal yourself.
In this nearly 3000 word guide, we will provide a comprehensive look at what to do if you find a sick or injured coyote. We will cover identifying signs of illness, reasons a coyote may be sick, whether to contact animal control, how to keep yourself and others safe, what animal control will do, tips for preventing coyote conflicts, and more.
Identifying Signs Of A Sick Coyote
Appearance and Behavior
There are several key signs in a coyote’s appearance and behavior that can indicate it is unwell. A sick coyote may have matted, dull fur or visible skin conditions like sores, scratches or patches of hair loss. They may appear underweight or emaciated with prominent hip bones, ribs or vertebrae.
Strange behaviors for a coyote include being active during the day, stumbling or an unsteady gait, and disorientation or confusion.
According to wildlife rehabilitation centers, other symptoms of illness in coyotes include:
- Lethargy, weakness or inability to flee danger
- Wheezing, coughing or audible congestion
- Crusting around eyes, nose or mouth
- Foaming at the mouth
- Tremors or muscle spasms
- Circling, staggering or disorientation
Coyotes with distemper, poisoning or severe mange may also lose their fear of humans and exhibit confused, erratic behaviors. They may walk up to or chase vehicles or people. A coyote attacking pets or acting aggressive is likely very sick and should be avoided.
Symptoms of Common Diseases
Some diseases that impact coyote health and behavior include mange, distemper and rabies. Mange leads to irritated skin, scratching and progressive hair loss over the body. Poisoning from rodenticides causes lethargy, bleeding disorders and uncontrolled bruising or bleeding.
Distemper symptoms are often respiratory like thick nasal discharge and coughing, with neurological signs like muscle twitches and seizures in the later disease stages.
According to wildlife veterinarians, rabies infections in coyotes are rare but display distinctive symptoms. A rabid coyote may aggressively charge at objects, humans or moving vehicles. They can also exhibit partial paralysis, most often in the hind legs leading to dragging or the inability to stand upright.
| Disease/Condition | Common Visible Symptoms |
| Sarcoptic mange | Severe hair loss, thick and crusty skin |
| Poisoning | External bleeding, bruising, seizures |
| Distemper | Nasal discharge, persistent cough, tremors |
| Rabies | Aggression, partial paralysis |
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns that finding a sick coyote is potentially dangerous, so do not approach it. Contact animal control if the coyote seems distressed or a threat to people or pets in the area.
Reasons A Coyote May Be Sick
Disease
Coyotes can contract various viral and bacterial diseases that may make them appear sick. Some common illnesses seen in coyotes include distemper, parvovirus, rabies, and mange (source). These diseases can cause symptoms like lethargy, impaired movement, disorientation, tremors, seizures, and skin issues.
Diseases spread between coyotes through direct contact and contamination of food or water sources. Sick coyotes also tend to wander into residential areas more often in search of easy food sources.
Injury
Injuries are a frequent cause of sickness in coyotes. As predators at the top of the food chain, coyotes risk injury from prey that fights back or accidents during the hunt. Common wounds include bites, scrapes, broken bones, and trauma.
Injured coyotes usually have visible limping, staggering, abrasions, bites, or swelling. Their limited mobility forces them to target pets and trash cans. A University of California study found around 60% of rescued sick coyotes suffered from physical trauma (source).
Poisoning
Poisoning from pesticides, chemicals, or toxins often sickens coyotes. Sources include antifreeze, rodenticides left out by exterminators, car fluids leaked on roads, contaminated prey, and illegal poisons set out targeting coyotes.
Symptoms generally involve gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. There may also be dizziness, disorientation, seizures or coma (source). Data trends over a decade show possibly hundreds of coyotes are accidentally poisoned each year in California alone (source).
Mange
Mange is an extremely contagious skin disease that afflicts coyotes. Caused by mites burrowing under the skin, it results in irritated lesions, scratching, hair loss, and infections (source). Warning signs in coyotes include patchy fur, scabbing, and limping or lethargy from fatigue or fever.
Mange also produces a distinct odor. Studies suggest over half of coyotes carry mange antibodies, indicating high exposure risk (source). Advanced mange can leave coyotes completely bald and near death from exposure or infection.
Should You Contact Animal Control?
When coming across a sick or injured coyote, contacting animal control can be an important step to ensure the safety of both humans and the coyote. Here are some key considerations on whether to contact animal control:
If The Coyote Poses An Immediate Threat
If the coyote is acting aggressively, attacking a person or pet, or showing signs of rabies (e.g. disorientation, lack of fear of humans), contact animal control right away. An aggressive or rabid coyote poses a serious public safety risk and needs to be handled by professionals.
If The Coyote Is Sick Or Injured
Even if the coyote does not seem dangerous, if it appears visibly sick or injured – with wounds, inability to walk properly, heavy mange infestation – calling animal control is recommended. Licensed rehabilitators can capture, assess and properly treat wounded coyotes.
Considerations If You Live In A Densely Populated Area
If the area lacks habitats for coyotes but sees frequent sightings, contacting animal control allows them to track sightings, assess risks of human-coyote conflicts, and take appropriate precautionary actions if needed.
When Relocation May Be Necessary
In areas the coyote frequents with pets or children playing outdoors, animal control may determine relocation is necessary for public safety. Calling them allows assessment of the risks and options in that situation.
While a sick coyote that avoids humans may recover on its own, contacting professionals is important to ensure public safety and appropriate care for the struggling animal if needed.
Keeping Yourself And Others Safe
Avoid Approaching The Coyote
If you spot a sick or injured coyote, it is critical to avoid approaching it. Coyotes are wild animals that can be unpredictable, especially when ill or hurt. Getting too close puts you and the coyote at risk.
Instead, keep your distance and contact animal control or wildlife authorities to handle the situation appropriately.
Maintain at least 300 feet between you and the coyote whenever possible. Do not interact with it, feed it, or try to move it yourself. Making loud noises or throwing objects to haze the coyote away often does more harm than good if it is already debilitated.
Allow professionals trained in wildlife handling to assess its condition and capture it humanely if necessary.
Keep Pets Indoors
It is also wise to keep your pets indoors until the sick coyote has been removed from the area. Even though predatory attacks are rare, coyotes can still pose a danger to outdoor cats and small dogs. Pets may also approach an injured coyote out of curiosity and get bitten as a defensive reaction.
During this time, do not let your pets roam freely outside even briefly to use the bathroom or get exercise. Make sure they are leashed when taking them out. Alert your neighbors to do the same for the safety of all pets in the neighborhood.
Alert Neighbors
Spreading awareness about the presence of a potentially sick coyote is important to keep everyone safe. Inform your neighbors through phone calls, text messages, emails, or by talking to them directly.
Provide details on the coyote’s location, condition, and guidance to avoid the area until the coyote has been removed.
Post alerts on community boards and social media groups as well. The more informed people are about the situation, the less likely someone will accidentally approach the coyote. Ongoing communication will also let neighbors know when the coyote has been captured so daily activities can return to normal.
What Animal Control Will Do
Assess The Situation
Upon receiving a call regarding a sick or injured coyote, animal control officers will promptly respond to evaluate the situation firsthand. They will attempt to locate the coyote and make an initial assessment of its condition – noting signs of illness, injury, or unusual behavior.
If the coyote appears to be a threat to public safety, they may try to capture it immediately. Otherwise, they will monitor it from a distance to see if the situation resolves on its own before taking further action.
If the coyote is on private property, animal control will need to get consent from the landowner to access the area. They will provide guidance to nearby residents on safety precautions when sick wildlife is present.
This includes keeping pets indoors and avoiding the area until the coyote has been removed. Notices may also be posted warning people of the presence of a potentially dangerous wild animal.
Depending on the coyote’s behavior and location, animal control may contact the state wildlife agency, public health department, or other local authorities to assist. For example, if the coyote seems severely ill, they will want to capture it quickly before the condition can spread to other wildlife or pets.
Prompt action is especially important if the coyote is spotted near parks, playgrounds, or housing developments.
Capture and Euthanize If Necessary
To capture a sick or injured coyote, animal control officers use humane trapping devices designed not to harm the animal further. Nets, catch poles, cages, and other specialized equipment may be utilized. Tranquilizer guns are sometimes used for safety purposes if the coyote is aggressive.
Officers are extensively trained in wildlife capture and handling techniques.
Once restrained, the coyote will undergo field testing and medical examination to diagnose its condition. Testing may include taking biological samples, measuring vitals, documenting symptoms, and assessing behavior/movement.
If the coyote has serious injuries or illness that cannot be reasonably treated, humane euthanasia will be administered under veterinary supervision to prevent further suffering. Carcasses are usually sent for laboratory analysis to determine cause of death and related implications.
If the coyote exhibits only minor injuries or illness, it may be treated and released back into the wild once recovery is complete. However, factors like the proximity of humans, possibility of recurrence, and precedents in that locality are also considered.
Officials have to balance public health/safety with wildlife welfare in their decisions. Ultimately, their duty is to serve the community’s best interests.
Statistics from the Humane Society (https://www.humanesociety.org/) indicate over 75% of sick coyotes reported to animal control require euthanasia. Proper waste disposal helps limit spread of contagions harmful to wildlife and citizens alike.
Officials may provide public education if certain issues become a recurring problem locally.
Preventing Coyote Conflicts
Remove Food Attractants
One of the best ways to prevent coyote conflicts is to remove any food sources that may attract them to your property. This includes picking up fallen fruit from trees, cleaning up underneath bird feeders, and not leaving pet food or garbage outside.
According to the Humane Society, an estimated 60% of urban coyotes’ diet comes from “deliberate or inadvertent feeding by humans.” So by removing these attractants, you eliminate a major food source drawing coyotes in.
It’s also important not to feed coyotes intentionally. Feeding encourages them to lose their natural wariness of humans and associate us with food rewards. This can lead to bold behavior when coyotes approach looking for handouts.
There have been several incidents where people were bitten after hand-feeding habituated coyotes. So don’t put food out for them!
You should also secure your compost pile and eliminate access to chicken coops or beehives. Compost piles can attract rodents, a tasty snack for coyotes. And chickens or bee larvae are seen as easy prey if coyotes can get into coops or hives. Making sure they are sturdy and coyote-proof is key.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends electric fencing for protecting livestock and poultry as well. Removing these temptation targets will help deter coyotes from hanging around.
Scare Coyotes Away From Your Property
If coyotes seem to be frequently passing through or exploring your yard, you can use scaring tactics to make them uncomfortable and encourage them to leave. Things like shouting aggressively, waving your arms, or spraying them with a hose are helpful for chasing off individual coyotes in the moment.
Other deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers, strobe lights, or playing loud music can make the area undesirable over time.
Specialized coyote scare devices are also available. These include things like the “Critter Gitter”, which uses sound and water to startle coyotes away. Fladry systems that hang colorful ribbon or flagging from fencing have also proven effective at repelling coyotes.
Pairing multiple scare tactics provides the best coverage. Consistency is key when using hazing or deterrents – you need to establish a pattern that the area is unpleasant for coyotes.
As a last resort, you can consider trapping or shooting problem coyotes if legal and safe in your state. But typically just removing attractants and scaring coyotes away will prevent most conflicts from developing in the first place.
Being proactive and using humane hazing keeps coyotes wary of humans and less likely to cause issues around your home.
Conclusion
Encountering a sick or aggressive coyote can be an unsettling experience. By educating yourself on the signs of illness, contacting professionals, and taking preventative measures, you can help keep both coyote and human populations safe.
Remember to give any sick coyotes space while keeping a watchful eye on pets and children. With proper precautions, coyotes and humans can continue to peacefully coexist.
We hope this comprehensive guide gave you a thorough overview of what to do if you encounter a sick or injured coyote. Being informed and taking the appropriate actions will help ensure a good outcome for both people and wildlife.
