HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 - January 30, 2026 - Coyotes in Cupertino - Community Education and Safety
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3223 • FAX: (408) 777-3366
CUPERTINO.GOV
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Date: January 30, 2026
To: Cupertino City Council
From: Kirsten Squarcia, Interim Deputy City Manager
Re: Coyotes in Cupertino – Community Education and Safety
Background
On December 1, the City hosted a community presentation on living safely with coyotes. The
session focused on understanding coyote behavior, reducing attractants, protecting pets, and
responding appropriately to encounters. Staff is currently exploring next steps and coordinating
with the County to support public safety.
Important Information
• Coyote Presence
• Removing one coyote often results in another moving into the area.
• The goal is to change coyote behavior and prevent negative interactions rather
than eliminate them.
• Diet and Attractants
• Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores and may eat birdseed, fruit, pet food,
rodents, and small animals.
• Residents may unintentionally attract coyotes.
• Feed pets indoors.
• Transition outdoor cats to indoor living when possible.
• Behavior
• Coyotes are typically shy but may become aggressive if they associate humans
with food.
• They defend den areas, especially during pupping season (March–May), and
may follow people to ensure they leave the area.
• Fencing and Yard Safety
• Coyotes can jump up to 6 feet, climb fences up to 10 feet, and dig under fences.
• Deterrent options include coyote rollers and underground “no-dig” fence skirts.
• Wildlife Management
• The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will only lethally remove a
coyote if it poses a public safety threat.
Pet Safety Recommendations
• Keep cats indoors.
• Accompany small dogs when outdoors.
• Be especially cautious between dusk and dawn, when most attacks occur.
• Remove ground-level shrubbery or potential denning spaces.
• Install motion-sensor lighting.
Making Yards Less Attractive to Coyotes
• Do not feed wildlife.
• Remove fallen birdseed or fruit.
• Do not leave pet food outside overnight.
• Secure trash and compost bins.
• Use “hazing” techniques:
• Be loud, move toward the coyote assertively, or spray with a hose.
• Continue until the coyote leaves the property.
• Do not haze aggressive coyotes.
• Hazing is less effective when walking a dog.
Safety While Walking
• Keep dogs on a short leash and do not allow interaction with coyotes.
• Back away slowly while maintaining eye contact or haze the coyote.
• Do not run.
• Call 9-1-1 if someone is attacked.
Reporting
• Report sightings: www.bayareacoyote.org/report
• Report injured, sick, or aggressive coyotes: info@openspace.org
Panelist Contact information
• Carolyn Whitesell — Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor, University of California
Cooperative Extension, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)
Email: cawhitesell@ucanr.edu
• Dr. Nayer Zahiri — Mosquito and Vector Control District Manager, Consumer and
Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA), County of Santa Clara
Email: nayer.zahiri@cep.sccgov.org
• Matt Sharp Chaney — Wildlife Ecologist III, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Email: mchaney@openspace.org
Sustainability Impact
No sustainability impact.
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact.
City Work Program (CWP) Item/Description
None
Council Goal:
Quality of Life, Public Engagement and Transparency
California Environmental Quality Act
No California Environmental Quality Act impact.
_____________________________________
Prepared by: Kirsten Squarcia, Interim Deputy City Manager
Reviewed by: Floy Andrews, Interim City Attorney
Approved for Submission by: Tina Kapoor, City Manager
Attachments:
None