Coyotes Believed to be Killing Cats in Los Altos

Written by L.A. Chung

Los Altos Police are warning neighborhood groups across Los Altos to keep cats and small dogs indoors, after  four coyote sightings and the discovery of the remains of cats. 

"According to Animal Services the animals appeared to have been killed by Coyotes," wrote Josh Cottrell, a Los Altos Police code enforcement officer who is a liaison with neighborhood groups. 

The most recent sightings, according to Cottrell, were in the Alicia Way area not far from Los Altos High School and the Kent Drive area, near Montclaire Elementary School. Additionally, Animal Services located the remains of several cats on Eastwood Dr. near Blach Intermediate School and on Milverton Road off of El Monte Road. 

"Coyotes do not pose an immediate danger to humans, but as with all wildlife, a safe distance should be maintained," Cottrell wrote. "Small children should be supervised while outdoors."

Animal Services is recommending that all pet owners bring their cats and small dogs inside their residences, he wrote. 

April to June is a common time to see coyotes, Connie Urbanski, superintendent of Palo Alto Animal Services, told Patch earlier this month, when the last coyote sighting was reported to police. The Palo Alto agency handles animal calls in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills by contract with the cities.

All coyote sightings should be reported to Animal Services at (650) 496-5971, or the Los Altos Police Department, (650) 947-2770.