Crime & Safety

Police Issue Coyote Warning

There has not been an increase in coyote sightings in Seal Beach, but police want residents to remain vigilant.

Seal Beach police are urging residents to be proactive against coyotes by following some tips to help keep themselves safe.

Seal Beach police Lt. Bob Mullins said there has not been an increase in coyote sightings in the city, but said there has been coyote activity around Orange County and within Seal Beach.

"We would like to encourage residents to “harden the target” by limiting the food supplies that attract coyotes to urban areas," Mullins said in an email. "Seeing a coyote walking down a busy street in Orange County isn’t as uncommon as most would think."

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Mullins said because coyotes have adapted to living in close proximity to humans, residents can help keep themselves and their pets safe by following these tips: 

  • Never feed coyotes or any other wildlife.
  • Keep pets and pet food inside. If feeding outside, feed pets during the day (no more than one hour) and remove the food and water bowls when finished.
  • Stay close to your pet when taking them outdoors and always keeping them on a leash, especially from dusk through early morning hours.
  • Remove fallen fruit from the ground.
  • Bag food wastes such as meat scraps or leftover pet food.
  • Keep trash in containers with tight-fitting lids.
  • Use “hazing” techniques to shoo away coyotes, such as standing tall, yelling and waving arms while approaching the coyote; using a whistle, air horn, bell or other device; banging pots or pans together; stomping your feet; using a water hose, pepper spray, or throwing tennis balls or rocks at the coyote.
  • Never run away from a coyote.
If you see a coyote, call the Long Beach Animal Care Services to report it at 562-570-7387. If the coyote is posing an imminent threat to life, Mullins said to call 911.

Residents can also report coyote sightings online at longbeach.gov/acs

Have you seen a coyote roaming around the Seal Beach area? Tell us in the comments.

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