SPRINGDALE — In the wooded area near Mill Creek Apartments in Springdale, lurking creatures are scaring the elderly and disabled residents.
Several residents have reported seeing coyotes roaming the grounds, sometimes coming to the buildings’ back doors.
Some residents now fear for themselves and their pets. Billy Davis started accompanying his small Lhasa Apso dog, Sonia, on her outside breaks because he fears she may become coyote chow.
Dogs are a fixture at the complex, which caters to those older than 55 or disabled. If a coyote attacks one of the small dogs, the owner may try to intervene and fall victim to attack, Davis said.
“Somebody’s going to get hurt,” he said. “It’s a big danger around here.”
The complaints prompted Alice Hale, the property manager, to call the local Game & Fish Commission office. Matt Melson, a wildlife biologist for the commission, said the residents are in little to no danger. Coyotes naturally avoid conflict with people, and there are few documented cases of coyote attacks.
By The Numbers
Coyotes
Coyotes are usually the size of small dogs and live in areas with tall weeds and brushy fields. The state has never had a documented coyote attack on a human, according to the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
• 10 to 20: Number of coyote calls Springdale animal control usually receives in the spring and summer
• 22 to 37 pounds: Average weight of a coyote
• 75: Number of Arkansas counties with coyotes
Source: Staff Report, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
“You literally have a better chance of getting struck by lightning,” Melson said.
While in the parking lot, Diane Eggert saw a coyote creeping toward the complex from the patch of tall grass in front of Mill Creek and the surrounding trees. She believes the animals are becoming braver, and many residents are unlikely to be able to defend themselves. Coyotes may not be dangerous usually, but the possibility scares Eggert.
“There’s always the chance,” she said. “It may only happen once.”
Melson suggested residents change their habits to discourage the varmints. He said many residents leave food outside for their cats and dogs, practically inviting other animals to come up to the buildings.
“There’s a reason these animals are coming around,” Melson said.
Davis said he wants someone to either put up a fence or trap and move the coyotes. He called animal control looking for help, but there is little the city can do, said Chris Townsend, Springdale animal control officer.
“We’ve got a catch-pole and some leashes,” he said. “That’s it.”
Townsend said the city usually gets more coyote reports during the summer because the lack of water drives the animals toward populated areas. “We’ve had numerous calls,” Townsend said. “It’s something the city’s had problems with for years.”
As the number of stray animals increases, more coyotes enter the city, looking for easy meals, he said.
“We’re fighting a losing battle right now with feral cats,” Townsend said.
He said the coyotes are likely frequenting Mill Creek Apartments because of the continuous water supply the creek gives during drought.
“Coyotes are very skittish. I really don’t see a coyote being a major threat,” Townsend said.
Davis said he wishes someone would take responsibility to help solve the problem.
Fayetteville animal control also receives several coyote calls each year. Tony Rankin, animal control supervisor, said the city prefers to leave coyotes alone in their habitat.
Animal control officers may make an exception if safety is an issue. When a pack of coyotes made their den near Vandergriff Elementary School several years ago, animal control officers sprayed animal urine in the area and made loud noises, causing the coyotes to move their den.