Wow, you really have a problem there. The cat food and the cats are attracting
the coyotes. In the wild they will eat rabbits and ground squirrels primarily.
If given the opportunity, they prefer to eat cats because they're easier to
catch. You've basically attracted a bunch of coyotes to that area. They're
eating the food and the cats, coyote heaven. This is tough but if you trap and
relocate the coyotes, others will come and take their place. You may have to
move your colony or else the truly feral ones left will be eaten :-( Those
coyotes sound well fed and have lost fear of humans. They may approach others
in that area. If people find out it's you who attracted the coyotes, you could
be fined and arrested. It's a misdemeanor here in CA to feed predator species.
The second time you get arrested as a felony. I'm so sorry you are going
through this especially as you are doing the right thing by the cats.

COYOTE (canis latrans)


The coyote weighs 20-30 pounds and stands 23 to 26 inches at the shoulder. In
appearance, the coyote looks similar to a tan colored shepherd-type dog with
long pointed muzzle, large ears and long legs.

The coyote is an extremely intelligent predator than has adapted to living in
close proximity to humans. Coyotes, whose natural habitat is the Los Angeles
basin, have adjusted to the shrinking habitat by living closer to humans,
sometimes in residential areas, parks and on the landscaped areas of the
freeway system.

Coyotes use the flood control channels, freeways, hillside erosion gutters,
city streets and sidewalks as a convenient means of travel. They find an
abundant source of water from swimming pools, gutters, leaking hose faucets and
sprinkler heads, bird baths and pet water dishes in residential areas.

Although the coyote is an excellent hunter, feeding primarily on rats, mice,
ground squirrels, rabbits, insects, carrion and fruit, it will not hesitate to
kill cats, small dogs, poultry, sheep or goats given the opportunity. They
learn that domestic animals are easier to catch than wild prey and will prowl
neighborhoods in search of unattended domestic animals.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY, PETS, POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK

Coyotes are capable of scaling fences up to six feet high. They will also dig
under fences. They can be deterred by increasing the height of fencing to a
total of at least eight feet and facing it outward at an 45 degree angle. Bury
the bottom of the fence at least six to twelve inches underground to prevent
the coyote from digging underneath. There is also a rolling bar that can be
placed on the top of an existing fence which will keep them from coming in. A
covered enclosure set up with a pet door will permit your pet to go safely
outdoors.

Chickens, rabbits and other small animals often kept outdoors should be kept in
well protected areas and in sturdy cages at night. Cages made of chicken wire
will not keep desperate coyotes or other predators from entering. Stronger
gauge wiring is a necessity in protecting these small animals.

DO:

*Keep your cat or small dog indoors at night or any other time a coyote is in
the area.
*Accompany your small dog in a well lighted area at night for walks
*Walk your dog on a leash whenever you take it off your property
*Confine poultry and rabbits in covered enclosures with heavy mesh wire.
Coyotes can break through chicken wire.
*Pick backyard fruit as soon as it ripens and keep rotten fruit off the ground.

DON'TS:

*Don't feed wild animals. It's illegal to feed predatory animals in the city of
Los Angeles
*Don't leave pet food outside, particularly at night
*Don't allow pets to roam from home, especially at night
*Don't leave water bowls for pets outdoors
*Don't leave garbage containers open
*Don't leave water in birdbaths or bird seed outdoors for songbirds.

Also, flashing lights, tape recorded human noises, scattered moth balls and
ammonia soaked rags strategically placed may deter coyotes from entering your
property.