Residents Alarmed By Pack of Coyotes

A pack of five coyotes seen running down Cypress Avenue last week has sparked concern in that neighborhood.

Ward 2 Councilman Matt Schonhut said he learned from a resident Feb. 14 that the group was spotted the previous evening.

Schonhut reported the sighting to Animal Warden Mike Roth, but said the city typically doesn't try to catch coyotes.

"We're not going to take action unless it becomes a real threat," Schonhut said. "This is their breeding time, and it's not uncommon to see a pack right now."

He said Roth suspects the coyotes are coming into neighborhoods from the Cleveland Metroparks. It's evident from the number of coyotes struck by cars on I-71 that they're crossing the interstate, he said.

Cypress runs off Howe Road.

Meanwhile, keep an eye on your small pets, authorities say. 

In July, residents on Eldorado Trail and Cartwright Parkway, both near Whitney Road, reported coyotes injured their small dogs.

In one case, the owner saw coyotes approaching; in the other, the dog was more seriously wounded.

"If you don't have a fenced-in yard, I'd supervise these pets while they're outside," Service Director Joe Walker told Strongsville Patch in August.

Walker said Strongsville doesn't get a lot of complaints about coyotes, but predicts conflicts with them will grow.

"They have no natural enemies," he said. "Every year, pups are born and most grow to adulthood. The only thing out there that kills them is cars."

Coyotes are easily confused with medium-sized dogs, according to the Cleveland Metroparks. But coyotes, which stand about 2 feet tall and weigh between 20 and 50 pounds, run with their tails held down, rather than held high or parallel with the ground like dogs do.

Coyotes eat mammals, mostly small mice and other rodents, rabbits, raccoons, ground-nesting waterfowl, songbirds and their eggs, carrion, reptiles and amphibians, as well as some berries and fruits.

Usually, they'll slink away from people, but if one approaches you, don't turn and run, experts say.

Instead, try to frighten it away by shouting in a deep voice, waving your arms, throwing objects at it and looking it directly in the eyes.