Wily Coyotes: Should you be concerned?

VANDALIA, Ohio (WDTN) - If you've seen a coyote in the area lately, you're not alone, but officials say there's a reason for the sightings.

This is breeding season for the coyotes.

"The other day we heard them," says Fairborn resident Gary Siembab.

Coyote sightings have been more common over the last few years in the Miami Valley. Sometimes you never see them, but still know they're there.

"You know when they've found something because they let out an awful screech," Siembab says. "It woke us up."

But that's the only sleep Siembab is losing over the coyote sightings.

"They don't bother us, we don't bother them," Siembab says.

But just as seeing one for the first time can be a little unnerving, so can learning that the coyotes are here to stay.

"I guess the only concern for me is I have little kids and if there's coyotes running around," says Butch Snider when told of coyotes in the area.

Adds Rich Hopkins with the city of Vandalia, "There is a lot of fear in some folks when they think about the coyotes."

That's why Vandalia tracks sightings of coyotes using a map on its website. So far this year they've had 11 sightings.

But for all the sightings, other than a few chickens being taken, 2 NEWS hasn't heard of any attacks on people or pets.

"These are animals for the most part who don't want to mingle with humans," Hopkins says.

In fact some believe the coyotes are a positive. Proof that our natural habitats are healthy.

Plus, those coyotes do snack on something, usually animals we don't want around.

"Folks shouldn't be too concerned if there are fewer mice," Hopkins says.

If you see a coyote you shouldn't approach it. Officials say they'll normally run off if you yell at them.

To keep coyotes away, don't feed them and make sure they don't have access to your trash.