City Warns of Increased Coyote Sightings

The city of West Hollywood is urging residents to take preventative measures against coyotes by keeping family companions and all animal and pet food and water dishes indoors, as well as covering trash cans and securing containers at all times.

"While these sightings can bring about moderate alarm, and there is a genuine need for concern, simple precautionary measures can be taken by residents to help reduce risk," the city announced.

The city says these simple steps will help reduce the attraction of coyotes and other foraging animals to the local area, and should result in the animals moving back up into the hills to seek better hunting grounds.

Coyotes are native to the Los Angeles region and are considered a widely adaptable and opportunistic animal. 

"The reality is that the hills and foothills that range from Malibu to Downtown Los Angeles are primarily wooded hills and mountainous habitat, and they are full of many kinds of wildlife on their natural habitat," according to the release.

Humans are rarely at risk or in danger from coyotes or other animals native to the area such as possums, skunks and raccoons. There have been virtually no incidents of rabies reported among any coyotes caught or trapped in Los Angeles County.

The city has notified Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Weights and Measures.