Cellphone footage from Thanksgiving weekend shows a bold coyote stalking small dogs in Volunteer Park during broad daylight, as a parkgoer shouts warnings and roars.
SEATTLE — Seattle officials are working with state wildlife experts after several aggressive coyote encounters were reported at two of the city’s most popular parks.
One recent confrontation, captured on cellphone video at Volunteer Park over Thanksgiving weekend, shows a coyote approaching a group of dogs in broad daylight. In the video, parkgoers can be heard shouting warnings as the animal lurks nearby.
Jason Williams, who recorded the footage, said the coyote’s behavior was unlike anything he had seen before. “I’ve never seen it in the middle of the day, looking for a meal. That’s very strange,” he said.
Williams, who was walking his own dog at the time, said the coyote appeared focused on two other dogs nearby. “He was coming straight for them. He knew what he was after,” Williams recalled.
The video shows Williams shouting and making loud noises to scare the animal off, a tactic wildlife officials often recommend in sudden encounters. “I was just concerned,” he said. “I thought one of those dogs might get injured.”
No injuries were reported, and the coyote eventually ran away. But the close call has renewed concerns about urban wildlife becoming increasingly comfortable around people.
Seattle Parks and Recreation confirmed it is coordinating with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to monitor coyote activity at Volunteer Park and the Washington Park Arboretum. Officials say some of the animals in those areas have become dangerously habituated to humans and human food.
In some cases, trapping and euthanizing the coyotes may be necessary. Last month, wildlife teams killed a coyote in the Arboretum after reports it had snatched a leashed dog and taken a coat containing food from a parkgoer.
“Coyotes are getting more aggressive and less afraid of people,” Williams said.
Warning signs have now been posted in both parks, urging visitors to keep dogs leashed, avoid feeding coyotes, and other tips if a coyote shows aggressive behavior. Authorities advise calling 911 in the event of an attack, or contacting the Department of Fish and Wildlife for non-emergency encounters.