COYOTES IN LOFT RIDGE

It’s true -- Fairfax County officials have confirmed the presence of coyotes in our county, as well as the Loft Ridge community.  The appearance of coyotes in our neighborhood is a recent occurrence – only in the last two or three months – but they’ve been reported in the county and state as long ago as summer of 2000.

 

Several people in Loft Ridge and on Cannon Lane have reported seeing coyotes in the woods next to Cannon Lane, in the large field behind Lofthill, Gladden and Medallion Courts, running across lower Ridge View Drive, and in the woods behind Evergreen Knoll Court.  These sightings describe animals with the same height and build as a medium-sized dog (such as a boxer or small collie), and resembling a small wolf, or a cross between a fox and a German Shepherd.  (The animals seen in Loft Ridge are definitely not foxes, which are prevalent in our area, and are about one-third the size of coyotes.* A picture of a coyote is posted at the bottom of this page.)

 

Coyote Facts:  Coyotes are shy when it comes to people and do not pose a threat to adults or children.   County and state officials do not consider them a danger either, and for this reason have no plans to remove or relocate them from our area.  However, while coyotes will avoid contact with humans and usually run as soon as they spot a person approaching, their diet includes rodents (such as squirrels and rats), rabbits, small deer, and yes, cats and dogs!!

 

PLEASE, do not allow your cats or dogs to roam or run freely in Loft Ridge – although it cannot be confirmed if a recent incident involving the death of a cat was attributed to a coyote, county officials warn that it is only a matter of time before they prey on a cat or dog that wanders into their territory.   As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to protect your animals since they are unaware and unable to defend themselves against this new threat – please keep your cats and dogs inside or leashed at all times!  Please also keep trash cans securely sealed and don’t leave any food source around that could attract foxes or wolves to your yard.

 

More information on coyotes and foxes can be found at the Fairfax County website:  http://www.fairfaxva.gov/animals/FQA.asp#2 (click on Coyotes or Foxes to learn more.)

 

Please email board@loftridge.com if you have any questions, or if you see a coyote in our area (we’d like to keep track of where they are and share this information with other homeowners).  Please also check the website (www.loftridge.com) for updates on this and other important community information.

 

Thanks very much.

 

The Loft Ridge HOA Board

 

 

Picture of a coyote

 

 

*Foxes are also not considered a danger to humans, but are known to prey on small mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, rats and even young cats, kittens and puppies – if no other food source is available.

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