Animal Control Offers Tips to Help Keep Families, Pets Safe from Wildlife
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The following information is distributed from the City of Frisco's News
and Information service.
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ANIMAL CONTROL OFFERS TIPS TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES, PETS SAFE FROM WILDLIFE
(March 12, 2009) As new businesses and homes continue to develop
throughout Frisco, wild animals ¡Vincluding bob cats and coyotes ¡V are
being displaced and may seek shelter and food in our neighborhoods.
Recently, residents reported seeing a bob cat in a neighborhood located
west of the Dallas North Tollway and North of Main Street.
¡§Usually, bob cats take off running when they see people,¡¨ said
Michael Hansen, Senior Animal Control Officer. ¡§If you come across a bob
cat wandering through your neighborhood, you want to scare the animal by
making as much noise as you can.¡¨
Hansen adds, wild animals naturally look for an ¡¥easy¡¦ food source
so, if you eliminate the source, the animals will go somewhere else. He
says this time of year marks the end of bob cat mating season, so animals
may be seeking additional food for their families. Hansen advises
residents to avoid keeping pet food outside, around the clock; secure
trash containers and pick up any fallen fruit from trees. Such action
will also reduce other wildlife, namely rodents.
¡§Approximately eighty to ninety percent of their (bob cats¡¦) diets
consist of rodents and rabbits,¡¨ said Hansen. ¡§If you eliminate those
animals, you can also reduce your chances of attracting larger wildlife,
such as bob cats and coyotes.¡¨ Hansen says never attempt to feed a
wild animal.
City animal control officers and police officers are not equipped to
remove bob cats or coyotes. Residents may choose to hire licensed,
professional trappers; however, residents should ask trappers about their
licensing, training and references to ensure the trapper follows state and
federal regulations.
City of Frisco Animal Control officers offer residents the following tips
to help keep their families and pets safe.
"X Do not leave pet food out overnight. Keep food outside for only a half
an hour during the day, if possible.
"X Remove any fallen fruit from trees, daily.
"X Keep trash in a secure container. This alleviates ¡¥easy meal¡¦ access.
Place container outside on trash pick up day.
"X Be mindful of birdfeeders and scattered seed on the ground. Birdseed
attracts squirrels and rodents.
"X Make a disturbance when confronted with wildlife so the animals know
they¡¦re in your territory. Waving a stick or banging pots and pans are
good means for creating a disturbance.
"X Take a stick with you when walking pets. This can be used to harass a
wild animal, if you¡¦re confronted during your walk.
"X Keep eye contact and slowly ¡¥back way¡¦ from larger, wild animals.
Don¡¦t turn your back and run, as this can trigger an animal to attack.
"X Physically restrain all pets and bring them into the house overnight,
if possible.
"X Keep landscaping trimmed back around the house and pool. This helps
prevent wild animals from finding shelter at your home.
"X Immediately report sightings of wildlife which appear to be staggering.
Call the DFW Wildlife Coalition Hotline at 972-234-WILD. Normally, wild
animals run away at the sight of humans. However, if an animal is
staggering and continues to move towards you, it¡¦s possible the animal
may be rabid.
For more information, contact the City of Frisco Animal Control at
972-292-5303. Call the local division of the Texas Wildlife Damage
Management Service at 817-978-3146. The Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department also provides information at
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/.
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