As wooded communities that border on a wildlife refuge, Morgan County residents might experience more contact with coyotes as they scavenge for food in the summer months.

Decatur Animal Services has provided several tips that residents can implement to prevent and reduce coyote interaction.

Prevention tips

• Do not feed any type of wildlife, even stray cats or dogs.
• Make sure your pets are not roaming freely.
• Keep trash picked up and disposed of properly. Coyotes scavenge and approach populated areas where garbage is being thrown away regularly.
• Fence in your gardens, food sources, small poultry and fowl.
• Deter coyotes by diffusing repelling odors:
  • Moth balls
  • Ammonia
  • Citronella
• Make sure your porch and yard are brightly lit during the evening hours.

For wildlife removal

 Please contact Alabama Wildlife Services at (334) 844-5670 in the event of a coyote sighting.

For additional resources

For more information and educational materials on the prevention of coyotes in your neighborhood, please contact Morgan County Animal Control at (256) 773-2934 or online at http://www.co.morgan.al.us/animalcontrolindex.html.