Coyotes spur concern among walkers, pet owners

Las Cruces - Sharon Reiter has noticed coyotes for several years in the large desert patch near her neighborhood, just east of the city's big flood control dam. But this year, something is different. "The population density is increasing. They have no competitors, and they have no threats, and they've become quite bold," she said. Reiter's concerns heightened a few weeks ago, when she and a friend were walking the stretch of desert, located east of Roadrunner Parkway and west of Telshor Boulevard. They were keeping their eyes on three coyotes ahead of them, when two other people in the desert "brought to our attention there were three coyotes stalking us," she said. Reiter said she and her friend turned around to find three different coyotes behind them, about 20 yards away, closer than the coyotes that were ahead. "I didn't realize they were behind us; so that's disconcerting," she said. Reiter, a Frontier Drive resident, said she's had other uncomfortable encounters - such as when a coyote chased a dog she was walking - and is aware of similar incidents of coyotes harassing dogs that were being walked in the dam area. And she's met at least a few people who have taken to carrying firearms on their walks, she said...more