Living with wildlife is part and parcel of residing in bucolic spaces like Irvine, where the proximity to nature also means a close-up interaction with the local fauna. The Irvine Police Department has taken to their Facebook page to remind us of the four-legged neighbors who may not always respect property boundaries: coyotes. As nifty as they are in scavenging and ensuring a balanced ecosystem, they do pose a risk to unattended pets and unkempt backyards.
The department—aware that these clever canids roam throughout the city—has outlined several tips to discourage visits from these wild residents. Supervising pets outdoors is a no-brainer, folks. And there's a particularly insistent reminder to bring Fido's leash into check six feet or less, as required by a local law when out and about; using a retractable leash could put pups at risk.
For those pet parents living in the coyote equivalent of a bustling metropolis, the Irvine PD suggests considering a full-time indoor life for their furry family members. You might think Fluffy can handle her own amidst the wild crowd, but it's a gamble against nature you're likely to lose.
And take note, green thumbs and fruit tree aficionados: your fallen produce could be a happy hour special for these critters. Cleaning up that unintended organic buffet is critical. Lastly, to avoid unwittingly inviting in those four-legged gourmet guests, it is best practice to keep pet food inside since nothing beckons the wildlife like a bowl of free eats.
