It’s everyone’s responsibility to protect pets, wildlife

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Coyotes are common throughout Arizona, even in urban environments. For more information on what attracts them to an area, what to do if you encounter them and how to protect yourself and your pets, visit Arizona Game & Fish’s website at azgfd.com/wildlife-conservation/living-with-wildlife/living-with-coyotes. If you’re attacked by a coyote, call 911 immediately, seek medical attention and report the incident to Game & Fish.

OPINION — I found Jason Stone’s article on coyotes easy reading and interesting. We live west of 303 toward the White Tank Mountains and have seen a few coyotes.

Seems we forget they were here before we moved into their territory and homes. Everyone should be reminded not to let their animals loose to roam the neighborhoods, as this attracts wild animals.

I constantly see posts “have you seen my cat or dog, been missing for a day or more.” Fences 6 feet high mean nothing to a coyote as they can easily jump 8-foot fences.

Coyotes are opportunists; they see you and evaluate the opportunity and make decisions to advance or not. On one occasion one walked by me at a distance of 6 feet.

Our three dogs can go out in the backyard as we have a dog door. It’s closed when we are not home and at night.

It’s our responsibility as pet owners to protect our animals.

If you are going walking, take a staff of some kind with you. Golf club missing the head, large walking stick, walking cane or some object. There are many options.

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