Madison Coyote Sightings/Attacks Spark Fear

[Latina]

Coyote Sightings, Attack Spark Fear

A possible danger to children and pets or a vital part of nature?

Some West Madison residents and experts are talking about just how close coyotes should be to local homes.

Scared and fed up with the problem, they're considering sharp shooters to deal with the issue.

To give you an idea just how much concern there is, Wednesday night's community meeting went well over the allotted two hours and more than 100 people were in attendance, some demanding action and all of them looking for help.

For one West Madison Family it's already too late. On an early February morning they lost their beloved poodle Puff and a veterinarian told them the dog's wounds were consistent with a coyote attack.

[Latina]

This has been a problem for a while now, with so many Coyote sightings on Madisons West side, there are people on the East side (where i work) who will not go to the West side of town due to these Coyotes.

My sons physical therapist said she refuses to visit the Princeton Club on the west side, as she use to, because she usually goes to work out at night & fears walking the long parking lot due to having already seen a coyote near wal-mart, which is a few blocks away... kinda freaky!

[Blue Baboon]

I've seen coyotes run through our neighborhood, but we live on the edge of town so that's to be expected seeing wildlife like that. I don't really think about them and I'm not scared. I just wish they'd come to my yard to chase rabbits away. I have also seen owls and deer go through our neighborhood.

I've seen a few coyotes by Hartland that got hit by cars. That's not the kind of roadkill most people are used to seeing.

My thoughts are if you know coyotes are out there than don't leave Fluffy outside at night. If we keep building in their territory, the critters are going to move into ours. Coyotes aren't that big anyway, probably the size of a medium dog.

When is that coyote going to get that darn roadrunner? I've been wanting that since I was a kid.

[Latina]

Yeah i don't think i'd be leaving my pets outside, but i can imagine seeing a Coyote standing there, when you walk outside your house or walking to your car at walmart & there's a Coyote by your car, that has got to be a bit freaky!

[Blue Baboon]

They'd more likely run away like most wild animals. You probably scare them more than they scare you.

[Latina]

Originally Posted by Blue Baboon

They'd more likely run away like most wild animals. You probably scare them more than they scare you.

That's definitely what i'd be praying for under my breath if i came face to face with one, that's for sure.

[Latina]

Cameras Used To Track Coyotes In Madison
USDA Installs 2 Trail Cameras

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has put up two trail cameras in the Highlands neighborhood. They hope to track what times of day the coyotes are out and how many there are. They'll use that data to determine what, if anything, needs to be done next.


There are many people in the area who have had issues with the coyotes and would like to see them removed from the area, but others argue the coyotes are living near a nature conservancy and should be left alone.

Just posting as an update... I wonder why they are doing it only i the Highlands neighborhood... maybe that's where they are seen more, but my understanding is that they are being spotted all over the west side... hope they dont decide to travel east