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- Foraging in an open field of a park in San Francisco
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- Controlled dogs on leashes do not present a threat to coyotes for the most part
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- Concern begins when a pack of unleashed large dogs appears and begins running around wildly
Coyotes know that they don’t need to be afraid of everyone that comes to their parks — they simply keep their distance and continue whatever they were doing. If humans walk by in the distance with their leashed dogs, a coyote more often than not will continue its foraging, or may stop to observe as the dog and walker pass through. Distance is everyone’s friend, as is controlled calm.
However, danger is signaled to coyotes by individual or packs of unleashed dogs running about, as happened here. This coyote looked up from her peaceful foraging to see several large dogs running around wildly and exploring hither and thither, with no owner in sight initially. It was a signal for the coyote to head towards a safer area. Our coyotes are chased often by dogs. An individual dog which pursues them they can handle now and then even though they dislike it tremendously, but a large pack of large dogs is something they do not want to test.
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- a large group of large dogs running around wildly
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- Coyote runs towards a safer vantage point
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- watching from a safer location close to some bushes
The dogs did not see the coyote, but the walker did. He leashed up his seven charges as soon as he saw the coyote, and he walked on. The coyote sat, close to the bushes to where she could make a quick getaway if needed, but she didn’t need to. When the pack of dogs was out of sight, she simply lay down and took a nap!
leashing up the dog pack
Coyote Yipps 
Dec 15, 2015 @ 21:42:43
I love your stories! I live in Toronto and we have 2 coyotes
Living in a small ravine in the back of our yard. Reading your stories helps me understand them and not be afraid. Thank you!
Dec 15, 2015 @ 23:46:00
Hi Maya —
So glad you are enjoying the blog! I’m succeeding if the postings are helping you understand them and not be afraid. Thank YOU! Janet