Coyotes Spotted in Saline

There’s a coyote on the loose in Saline.

That’s probably not a surprise to long-time residents who’ve seem the canine relative of the wolf and family dog prowling around at night for years. But the medium-sized predators, who prey on small mammals, have been catching the attention of city residents lately, and they’re calling Saline Police.

According to Saline Police dispatcher Jean Bondie, residents near the Wildwood subdivision reported coyote sightings July 16 and July 24.

During the most recent sighting, a coyote was seen coming out of the woods, along the walking trail along Woodland Drive, between Wildwood Trail and Cottonwood Lane.

Coyotes may alarm some residents, but there is not much that can be done about them, Bondie said.

“Unless we believe the animal is sick, then there’s not much police can do about it,” said Bondie. “The best thing we can do is try to educate people."

Saline Police officer Theo Helms spent 25 years as an officer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  He said coyotes are afraid of humans.

“If you’re walking along and you happen to run into a coyote, the coyote is most likely going to turn around and run away,” Helms said.

Coyotes won’t run away from cats, rabbits and other small mammals, Helms said. He said if coyotes are coming up to homes, it’s likely that people are leaving food out.

Helms noted that coyotes seem to be growing accustomed to their human neighbors, and aren’t as afraid as they once were. Still, daytime sightings of the animal are potentially a sign of a sick animal, he said. 

Helms and Bondie noted that Coyotes have been seen and heard on the outskirts of town for years. Bondie said she's seen them on North Maple Road when driving home at night. Helms said they're often seen beyond the Saline Rec Center or near the industrial park.

“On a fall night with a bright, full moon, you’ll hear them,” Helms said.

Tips and Tools for Keeping Coyotes Wild

Project Coyote, a California-based organization that promotes peaceful coexistence with coyotes, and the Humane Society of the United States offer this advice on how to discourage coyotes from coming into urban areas:

1. Do not feed coyotes.
2. Keep your pet on a leash.
3. Supervise small pets and children, and keep your cats indoors.
4. Keep garbage, compost and pet food out of reach. Make sure your garbage can lids are on tight, and feed your cats and dogs indoors.
5. Coyotes love to eat mice and field moles. Keep grass short and remove brush piles to reduce rodent population around your yard.
6. If faced with a coyote, act big and loud—shake a can of pennies, blow a whistle, wave your arms above your head. Such actions will reinforce their fear of humans.
7. Ask your neighbors to follow the above tips, too.

For more from Project Coyote's newsletter and fact sheet, click here.