Just about a week ago, Officer Mullen with Animal Care & Control San Francisco (SFACC), had been called out to a residence where a gorgeous coyote had been found asleep on a family’s outdoor patio couch. Even when the homeowner approached the coyote seemed reluctant to move.
The concerned resident was afraid the animal was sick or injured and called for an animal control agent to come out to their home to assess the situation. Officer Mullen arrived and went into the backyard where the coyote was comfortably curled up on the couch.
I approached the coyote and started talking to him, telling him that it was time to get up. He looked at me, got up, took a big stretch and made his way to the edge of the yard.
He was moving appropriately and did not appear sick or injured…
Officer Mullen
The yard was on the edge of a woodland area, and the coyote hopped over the wall and made his way through the brush. The coyote looked like a young healthy male that had likely been kicked out of his den and was trying to make his way through the city.
Coyote families consist of an alpha male and female who mate for life. Their pups usually stay with them for more than a year until the next litter of pups are born; and then they stay with the family for the next six months. Then the mature pups venture out on their own to start their own families. It is usually in the fall and early winter when the yearling pups start their journeys to find a mate and start a den of their own.
San Francisco is the home for approximately 100 coyotes. They help to keep the rodent population down, which helps to keep disease transmission down. The animals are shy and not usually aggressive, however when they feel threatened while protecting their young, their behavior becomes defensive.
The coyote was shown exiting the backyard and making his way back into the wooded area.
…Thank you for helping us keep this population healthy nd thriving in our urban jungle.
Officer Mullen
Please visit the organization’s website to learn more about how to peacefully coexist with these wonderful animals. If you see one of these magnificent creatures, please help by filling out a coyote sighting form on the website. These forms are directly submitted to our officers who help oversee the population of coyotes in the city. Please call dispatch at 415-554-9400 if you are concerned about a sick or injured coyote.
