Is community hazing an appropriate management response to urban coyote conflicts in Southern California
Coyotes exist in sizeable and increasing populations within most urban areas in Los Angeles County. Aggressive attacks by coyotes on domestic animals and humans are a primary concern. In urban areas, unlike in rural areas, lethal management is not the primary method for controlling coyotes. Thus, an assortment of non-lethal management practices are emphasized in urban areas, especially hazing coyotes. Hazing involves any variety of tactics to scare a coyote away from humans in order to re-instill fear of humans in coyotes. Although hazing coyotes is frequently and commonly suggested as an effective non-lethal management technique, there is no empirical research to support the effectiveness of this management recommendation in terms of changing coyote behavior to reduce negative coyote-human/pet interactions.