Cryptozoology forums > Animals > General talk about animals > view thread

Subject: Re: Coyotes Kill Adult Woman From: luna1580 posted Fri, Oct 30 2009, 1:21am  that's rare, weird and scary. "leave your ipod at home and carry a knife," eek! Subject: Re: Coyotes Kill Adult Woman From: Nina posted Fri, Oct 30 2009, 6:14pm  I'd have to agree...there are coyotes on my dad's farm near the North Carolina border. They weren't there when I was a kid, but until this article I had no qualms about the idea of facing one. I assumed they'd just run off, like foxes! Guess I'll have to rethink that... Subject: Re: Coyotes Kill Adult Woman From: Bearman58 posted Sat, Oct 31 2009, 4:17am  Well, here goes-I took a lot of heat on another site for this opinion. We are killed by the thousands everyday, often at the hands of our fellow man, so why are we so upset by this? A lot of it is the 'man bites dog' aspect-it's unusual, so it gets a lot of attention. Yes, we all mourn when someone dies, but that's the way the world works. This young girl was hiking in a wilderness area, an intrinsically dangerous activity, and something killed her. This was a risk from the start-she could have fallen, drowned, or been attacked by a bear, or another person. There are probably no 'good' ways to die, and this was just another. I think we can thank the headline-seeking media for the hype regarding animal attacks-they are rare, but they make great copy. The point of the wilderness is wild-it's not a playground. "Leave your ipod, and carry a knife"? Absolutely!! Subject: Re: Coyotes Kill Adult Woman From: luna1580 posted Sat, Oct 31 2009, 4:32pm  my point was this: isn't it highly unusual for non-rabid coyotes to attack and kill adult humans? and she was in a wilderness area -wasn't there any small game or other prey available? why pick a person for dinner? i think crossing the street with on ipod on -or while texting- is moronically careless, let alone hiking, but that's not the point. the reason that this is a notable report isn't that she died, it's what killed her. i usually assume that if a coyote threatened my small dog (they live in our suburb, i've seen them on my parents' property 3 times, and i don't even live there, so the 12 pound dog never goes outside unattended) i could chase it off by wielding a broom or rake, but i'd be surprised if it even approached me, i don't expect it to kill me. "This was a risk from the start-she could have fallen, drowned, or been attacked by a bear, or another person." but was it really? i expect that a bear can be a threat, another human for sure, as can an injury from falling, but a coyote? i don't expect coyotes to kill, just as i know bobcats have teeth, are wild creatures and could bite, but i don't expect them to attack and kill human adults........ Subject: Re: Coyotes Kill Adult Woman From: luna1580 posted Sat, Oct 31 2009, 4:38pm  p.s. the google says she's only the second known person in north america ever to die from a coyote attack, and the other victim was a toddler, so you should admit that it's an unusual case.... Subject: Re: Coyotes Kill Adult Woman From: Bearman58 posted Sat, Oct 31 2009, 6:55pm  Sorry-I absolutely agree that it is highly unusual-not enough sleep last night. They are not normally bold enough to try a human-its too much risk for too little reward. Subject: Re: Coyotes Kill Adult Woman From: Bearman58 posted Sat, Oct 31 2009, 7:08pm  'Course, this ain't normal either(nor is my wife!) Subject: Re: Coyotes Kill Adult Woman From: luna1580 posted Sun, Nov 1 2009, 2:42am  bearman, i'd have a serious case of let-down if there was very much "normal" about you or your partner! ;) you two are obviously exceptional human beings, in the best way. i didn't mean to come off aggressive about the topic, i just thought your woes from the other site were not applicable to my thoughts (i agree, humans do die. sometimes in disturbing ways....it's a part of being a part of nature, and all of us are). but- so, as people who live with coyotes and know more than i, do you venture i'm "safe" defending my yummy lil' Pomeranian (she's a black-n-tan coat, pet-not-show-type, and very cute and loving) against them with at most a broom/rake here in the chicago suburbs? (i'm more concerned about them wanting to eat her than me, hence the weirdness of that poor folk-singer's death....) please offer your professional opinion, before "the great '09 coyote scare" can put down any roots. and again, thanks for all you do to help animals, and help people understand them :) -laura Subject: Re: Coyotes Kill Adult Woman From: Bearman58 posted Sun, Nov 1 2009, 4:04am  With coyotes, and most wild critters, an aggressive defense is usually best. Predators rarely risk injury to themselves, as this may lower their hunting fitness. If you defend your dog with a stick, or rake, or whatever, he'll be fine-and I'd love to see a video of that:)! We had an old tom Siamese mix that was attacked once by a coyote-poor coyote made to serious miscalculations. First, he picked the wrong cat to F*** with, and more importantly, he chose to do it in view of my wife-that animal must have thought the gates of hell had opened and let her out-you could smell his urine for days!! (Sometimes she scares me, too;)) Subject: Re: Coyotes Kill Adult Woman From: luna1580 posted Sun, Nov 1 2009, 4:47am  thanks. as far as coyotes go, i always thought i had the presence to scare one off, if need be (with a broom or stick or whatnot). -and props to your wife for the same as your cat's 'backup'! :) all-and-all this young woman's death was a weird and sad and very rare event..... so i hope it doesn't reflect on general coyote behavior these days. and just a thought about that lady's death- is it even common for wild coyotes to hunt in pairs at this time of year? within earshot of of other human hikers? i thought not. it's such a weird, odd story. so sad for that hiking young woman......

Close Window