Found a coyote, I think

Raspy · Mar 28, 2012

My neighbor was out walking behind our two places the other day and found a baby puppy just a few days old. It was in a burn area with no brush at about 5,000 ft elevation. She put it in a paper bag with a rag in the bottom and fed her a bit with an eye dropper, then called us to come see and try to figure out what happened.

First we thought it was an abandoned domestic dog, but we began to realize it must be a coyote. Ears are still sealed closed, belly button not fully healed and eyes are closed. But healthy and strong. Unable to do much more than squirm around and whine. Very cute.

I'm coming to realize if it's a coyote, or fox or grey wolf, we won't be able to keep her. But we don't want her killed either. And we won't know for sure what it is for a few weeks or after a trip to the vet. Meanwhile we're feeding her and she's very happy. Oh, and my wife and her have bonded.

Someone my neighbor called said to put it back out there, but no way I'll go along with that as it would either freeze to death the first night or get eaten. We've taken responsibility for her now, without realizing she may be a coyote, and are looking for a humane way out. Raising a coyote is not something I want to take on as it has a lot of problems associated and may even be illegal. The legal part doesn't concern me too much, but the responsibility for any other animals killed, people injured or the special care required for a long time does. Plus, she would eventually have to go somewhere and I have no idea where.

This is an interesting problem.

Any ideas?

Travelover · Mar 28, 2012

Raspy said:
...........

Any ideas?

Give it to Eddy. His pig needs a companion.

MotorSeven · Mar 28, 2012

I say raise it. If anyone asks, tell 'em it's a Belgian Malinhound..new breed.

smstonypoint · Mar 28, 2012

How about contacting the state agency that handles wildlife issues in Nevada? They will have wildlife experts that will give you guidance.

Steve

20 20 · Mar 28, 2012

In NY, If it is against the law to have it, then you could very well see a heavy fine for even giving it aid. If the DEC is decent they'll tell you to put it down. This applies to NY law, know this from experience. Might want to check around, especially before posting on a public forum.........oooops to late.

rsewill · Mar 28, 2012

Travelover said:
Give it to Eddy. His pig needs a companion.

LOL, .

Johndeere3720 · Mar 28, 2012

rsewill said:
LOL, .

X2 :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

ScottK · Mar 28, 2012

Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center in your area.

Raspy · Mar 28, 2012

I just found a wildlife sanctuary that will take her. But first I want to confirm what she is. No need to show up there with a lab. :ashamed:

Stick895 · Mar 28, 2012

Take it to the wildlife center. I think given all the circumstances the chances are slim that it is domestic.

creekbend · Mar 28, 2012

www.pbase.com/eriksamwel/baby-coyotes Check the yellowstone gallery June 2007

nybirdman · Mar 29, 2012

Lesson learned here;let nature take it's course.The female may have just been moving the pups to a new den.It does happen.

Raspy · Mar 30, 2012

Thought I'd post a couple of pictures.

Here she is.

MMagis · Mar 30, 2012

Yep, sure looks like a coyote. Hopefully there’s a zoo or someplace that can take it. They sure look cute, but one thing they are not is pets.

RobertBrown · Mar 30, 2012

Raspy said:
This is an interesting problem. Any ideas?

If you type in coyote pup at google images you'll see that what you have certainly resembles same.
It seems that the confirmation part is complete.
I'm pretty sure that the longer you keep it, the longer your list of regrets will be. It easy to confuse this animal with a domesticed dog at this point in it's life, and for me, it would be difficult to just part ways with it.
It's doubtful you will ever find a suitable home for it. It'a a coyote, few people want them and even fewer are equiped to deal with one.
Can you tell what *** it is yet?
Perhaps if you limit contact and give it access to food until it starts to catch it's own, It will eventually leave. What happens to it after that is left to fate and that's how it wound up in your house in the first place. Seems like it's lucky song dog so far......

Raspy · Mar 31, 2012

I've done some research and found others that have raised coyotes. I know a bit about dogs and have done some research in the past about this issue. Believe me, I'm not confused about wether she's a wild animal or not.

My neighbor originally found her and called us after she had brought her home. At first we thought she was part of a domestic litter that had been dropped off by some low life to become bird feed. We live on five acres backed up to BLM land. All the parcels around here are 5-10 acres and there are no big towns for 20 miles or so. It's country living, but not real remote. We are at about 5,000 feet elevation. It's mountainous high desert with pinion and sage.

When we became convinced this dog was a coyote we began to look for options and even took her back to the spot where she was found. But of course, it was too late for her mother to find her and she was doomed if we left her there any longer. So we brought her home again.

I found a zoo/sanctuary that will take her and raise her. They have foxes and coyotes now and are registered with the state, etc.

I must admit I'm a sucker for helpless animals and especially dogs. This pup has imprinted with my wife and I've been out of town a few days. I'm not going to kill her or toss her out in the night to be eaten.

I just wanted to be sure she was not a domestic dog and now I want an exit strategy that is as humane as possible. We've found it in the sanctuary. If she was a domestic dog we would keep her.

This way we can make a donation to help with her needs and go visit her from time to time. It will be interesting to see if later she remembers my wife, who has fed her from a few days old and became her recognized mother.

There are a lot of coyotes around here. We hear them all the time and see them sometimes. Dogs, in general, fascinate me and I've wanted to know more about coyotes and foxes for a long time. This was an accidental encounter that has taken on a life of it's own. Now the neighbors are all interested and offering advice. It won't be long before the sheriff or the game warden shows up. And in the mean time, the little pup is squirming around helplessly and squeaking like a baby coyote. The sanctuary is about 160 miles from here and we are preparing to go. My wife wants to keep her for a few weeks more, but we'll probably go on Monday.

These are controversial animals and I figure by next week, probably a hundred people will know about her and the cops will be paying us a visit. All to protect the area from a helpless pup. And, again, I harbor no illusions about a mature coyote being a LOT of trouble and a danger to the neighbors animals, or to our other two dogs and our cat.

As I write this she is in my wife's lap, sucking on a baby bottle, squeaking with pleasure, a full stomach, barely awake, safe and warm.

I'll follow up with our next step, and thanks to those of you that gave thoughtful and reasonable responses.

rsewill · Mar 31, 2012

This could be an opportunity to drop off two wild critters. ;-)

nybirdman · Mar 31, 2012

I commend for doing the right thing.That's a tough situation for sure,it happens all the time people find young wildlife alone and feel it was abandoned.Whitetail fawns are taken all the time by people,just a mistake.

Kyle241 · Mar 31, 2012

That is great you found a place for him/her. I think what you're doing is very commendable as well. I would have done the same thing. Thanks for the pics, never seen a baby coyote before.