Since then, coyotes have been confirmed in 66 of the state's 88 counties, and they probably exist in the others as well. Some reports of coyotes may be feral dogs that resemble the wild ones or may be coyote-dog mixes known as coydogs. However, a study done in the early 1980s by examining the carcasses of coyotes caught inadvertently by trappers showed that the great majority of the animals were indeed specimens of Canis latrans . Although there have been no reports of coyotes attacking small dogs or puppies in Ohio, Jasper said that owners should not tempt fate. In areas where coyotes have been spotted, he said that owners should be cautious with their pets.
Coyotes are probably here to stay.
These animals have been shot, poisoned, trapped, and otherwise harassed by man, yet they have flourished. We should welcome them on farms and fringe areas as resident rat and mice controls. We should respect their tenacity, admire their wildness, and salute their curiosity and playfulness. We should also recognize the potential threat to pets and children and the possibility for rabies outbreaks and be prepared to control the song dog when necessary. For more information about coyotes, see various natural history books and Don Coyote, The Good Times and Bad Times of a Maligned American Original by Dayton O. Hyde.