A juvenile coyote that spent days wandering a San Francisco backyard finally got a quiet escort back to the wild yesterday after a homeowner's security cameras caught the young animal pacing along a hillside next to a large open space.
Animal Care & Control officers responded to the property, where a relative of the homeowner met them to provide access. Officers covered the coyote with towels, used a net to secure it, then slowly opened the net so the animal could slip into nearby brush. The coyote stayed calm throughout the encounter and did not struggle. The careful retrieval comes as coyote sightings across the city tick up during pupping season.
According to Animal Care & Control San Francisco on Facebook, Officer Mullen documented the response in field notes, and officers, including Officer Clarke, were on scene yesterday. The agency reports that security footage showed the juvenile had been on the property since last Thursday and confirms that towels and a net were used to safely secure and transport the animal. Animal Care & Control also noted it has been placing signs near known coyote dens and is reminding neighbors to take extra care around coyote families this time of year.
What the city says about pupping season
Per San Francisco Animal Care & Control, coyotes typically live in family units centered on a monogamous breeding pair and become especially protective during pupping season. The agency notes that during pup-rearing months, adult coyotes may be more visible and assertive, increasing the likelihood of neighborhood encounters near dens. To reduce conflict, Animal Care & Control posts signs near known dens, asks residents not to feed wildlife, and encourages people to choose alternate routes if a coyote family is known to be in an area.
Local context and trail closures
Recent sightings fit into a broader pattern of local management efforts. The Presidio Trust temporarily closed segments of two Presidio trails to dog walkers this spring to protect denning coyotes, with the goal of limiting conflicts among dogs, people and protective adult coyotes. As outlined by The Presidio Trust, such temporary closures, paired with posted signs, are tools park managers are using to help keep coyotes wild and cut down on close encounters.
How neighbors can stay safe
San Francisco Animal Care & Control urges residents to keep small pets indoors, never feed wildlife, and use humane hazing techniques such as loud noises, waving arms or spraying water to encourage coyotes to move along. For non-emergency sightings or general concerns, neighbors are asked to submit a coyote sighting or incident report online. For injured animals or immediate hazards, the agency directs residents to call Animal Care & Control's emergency dispatch at (415) 554-9400. Resources, reporting forms and safety tips are available on the department's coyote pages.
