How to stay safe with coyotes and cougars in the neighborhood

DEAR JOAN >> There have been several reports in my neighborhood of coyotes killing cats overnight, including one on my street recently. There was also a report of a cougar about a half mile away — the homeowner took a photo of the cat in her backyard at about 5:30 a.m.

Please write about the behavior of these predators and how to protect our pets. I do keep my cats in at night but want to know what to do if I see one of these animals and how to make my yard safe.

I live in a very residential neighborhood, not near large open spaces or forests.

— Ellen Hayenga,

San Jose

DEAR ELLEN >> Drought, fires and loss of habitat have made our irrigated and fruitful neighborhoods attractive to wildlife, bringing them into more frequent contact and conflict with humans.

Coyotes and mountain lions, like all wild creatures, can be dangerous. Although rare, there have been attacks on humans by both types of animals, and the biggest danger is to young children and pets.

The advice if you encounter either of these animals is pretty much the same: Remain calm — or as calm as you can — and slowly back away to safety. Don’t run. Running may trigger the animal’s hunting instinct.

If the animal starts toward you, stop and stand your ground. Make yourself look as large as you can by raising your arms. Make lots of noise. If that doesn’t intimidate them, throw rocks, sticks or whatever’s handy at them.

If worse comes to worst and you’re attacked, fight back as best you can and keep yelling for help. Try to stay upright; mountain lions try to bite the neck or head of prey, so remaining standing will help you protect those areas.

Talk with your neighbors and share information. Don’t let your pets out, even during the day, without you to watch over them. Don’t let children play outside unattended. Make sure you aren’t leaving out food for animals or actively feeding them. Controlling smaller animals in your yard, such as rats, will reduce the lure for larger predators. Lighting your backyard at night can be a deterrent.

Interactions with humans usually ends badly for the wild animal. People tend to get upset when they see a predator in their neighborhood and sometimes they take drastic action. It’s also dangerous for the animals to be around moving vehicles. Respect wildlife, keep your distance and keep everyone safe.

Report aggressive wildlife to authorities, but keep in mind that most animals are just looking for food.

DEAR JOAN >> Why are you feeding birds? There is disease being spread via feeders and birdbaths. The advice is to take down, clean and put them away until this illness and death among urban birds on both coasts is over!

DEAR DOROTHY >> A mystery disease that is killing birds has been reported only on the East Coast. Earlier this year, an outbreak of salmonella on the West Coast prompted a request to take down feeders and baths, but that seems to have passed.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be vigilant and ready to immediately remove bird feeders and baths at any sign of disease.