Coyotes Take Over Doghouse, Pester Homeowner with Howls
OutdoorHub Reporters 03.12.15
Are coyotes causing you to lose sleep at night? New Jersey resident Liora Sofer has dealt with coyotes before, but she hardly expected the critters to move in. According to the Daily Mail, two wandering coyotes took over an unused dog house on Sopfer’s property in rural Closter, and they are proving to be a thorn in her side.
“They howl so loudly that I can’t sleep,” Sofer told NBC News.
The coyotes are smart enough to vacate the area by morning, but every night since Saturday they have returned to sleep in the dog house. Sofer said the worst part is the howling, which habitually keeps her and her 15-year-old daughter up at night.
Coyote populations have been booming on the East Coast, where they are not a native species. As a general rule, the critters tend to shy away from humans. However, it is not uncommon for coyotes to venture into farms or homes looking for food. The predators are especially dangerous for pets, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection warns residents to bring pets in at night if they suspect coyote activity. Coyotes rarely dare to attack humans, but experts say that it can occur and residents should approach such animals carefully.
Sofer said that she was told to haze the coyotes and to board up the doghouse, which she has done, but it seemed to make little difference. The homeowner said that she is looking into a more permanent solution, such as hiring an animal control company to catch the coyotes.
You can see video of the animals below:
