Coyotes

To report a sick, injured, or aggressive coyote that is posing a threat to public safety, please call immediately: IVHS 24-Hour Report Line at (909) 594-9858.

Never feed coyotes! Feeding a coyote is illegal per Claremont City Code 6.20.170 and is subject to citation.

 Coyote Neighborhood Meeting - June 17, 2025

On June 17, 2025 the City held a neighborhood meeting to discuss ways to deter coyotes and how to reduce coyote encounters. View the presentation(PDF, 9MB) by the City, Department of Fish and Game, SGVCOG, and IVHS. 

 

Living With Coyotes

Coyotes evolved here in the American Southwest and have been capable of living among humans for the 15,000+ years that humans have existed here. They have continued to adapt to living in cities where they can easily find resources including mice and rats. Coyotes may be active at any time of day. They are opportunistic and eat a generalist diet consisting of not only small mammals, carrion, and sometimes birds and deer, but also supplement their diet with berries and other plant materials. If allowed, they will also prey on domestic pets such as cats and any human or pet food that is easily accessible.

Coyotes venture out in search of food and shelter. By removing any potential food sources from your home, you can prevent repeat coyote visits. Securing your own home is a good first step, but coexisting with coyotes is truly a community effort, so be sure to share these tips with your neighbors.

Since coyotes’ natural instinct is to fear people, they are unlikely to approach or harm us. However, intentional or unintentional feeding can alter their natural behaviors, making them more

comfortable around humans, and lead to bolder, potentially aggressive behavior. As such, it is crucial to remove any potential

source of food from coyotes and actively haze them whenever they are near humans.

• Keep your cats inside and supervise small dogs outdoors or keep them in predator-proof enclosures

• Remove any outdoor pet food

• Remove any bird feeders or regularly clean up any fallen seed and secure it to ensure other wildlife is unable to access it

• Pick up fruit as soon as it falls to the ground

• Keep barbecue grills clean

• Eliminate access to water on your property, like standing water or bird baths

Secure Your Home

In addition to seeking out food, coyotes tend to linger anywhere they can find shelter. Secure your home so that coyotes will not find it hospitable.

• Wildlife-proof garbage in sturdy containers with tight fitting lids

• Keep trash in a secure location and only take out trash the morning pick up is scheduled

• Keep compost in secure containers

• Secure your garage and don’t leave the door open

• Enclose your garden with hardware cloth

• Trim overgrown landscaping and clear brush, trim hedges 6”-12” off the ground

• Close off crawl spaces under decks and around buildings

• Invest in motion detecting lights that make sound when activated, motion sensing water sprayers, or roll bar fencing also referred to as “coyote rollers”

Encountering a Coyote

Coyotes are typically very wary of humans and will do their best to avoid us. Take the following steps when you encounter one to ensure your safety:

• Make the coyote feel uncomfortable

• Maintain eye contact

• Be aggressive: Yell and/or spray a hose at the coyote. Make loud noises by shaking a can of pennies or marbles to scare the coyote away. 

• Make yourself appear large and stand your ground–pick up small pets and children

• Never turn your back or run away

• Make safety your first priority. In case of an emergency, call 911.

To report an aggressive coyote, please call the Inland Valley Humane Society at (909) 594-9858.