The two coyotes that have been roaming around Magnolia for the last couple of months may have made their way over to Queen Anne. One reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, has written in to report two sightings on the west side of the hill yesterday, Monday, January 18.

(Photo taken from previous sighting via sister-site, MagnoliaVoice, courtesy of reader Ginni Wilson who spotted the coyote in the front yard of her Magnolia home.)

Our tipster wrote,

I saw a large male coyote last night at 5:30pm at 12th Ave West and Gilman heading toward 15th Ave. It appeared to be looking for food. Spoke with a police officer and he said there are two coyotes, one male and one female, living near the Interbay Golf Center and the male is aggressive and has killed at least two dogs. Spoke with another neighbor in QA that lives near 10th and she found a coyote yesterday morning, she believes it was the smaller female one, on the other side of her picket fence nose to nose with her dog. She scared it away by spraying it with water from her garden hose.

We haven’t confirmed whether or not the coyotes have in fact been responsible for killing two dogs. One small dog was attacked by one of the coyotes in Magnolia last week, and although vets initially thought she wouldn’t make it, she has pulled through and – after over $1,000 in vet bills (generously covered by two anonymous donors) – is recovering well.

Although coyote attacks on domestic animals are considered highly uncommon, the recent sightings and the fact that the two coyotes roaming the area don’t seem to be shy around people at all, leaves some concern for the safety of pets and small children. According to wildlife officials, there were no documented coyote attacks on people in the state until April, 2006, when the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife had to euthanize two coyotes who bit two young children in Bellevue. It is believed this unusually aggressive behavior may be a result of coyotes being fed by people, which is why official urge residents to never give them food, even inadvertently. To avoid attracting a coyote, never leave pet food outside, secure your garbage containers, compost and gardens, and pick up fallen fruit and spills from bird feeders. It is also recommended that small pets, including outdoor cats, are brought into the house as much as possible, especially at night.

Read more information on what to do if you come across a coyote here. You can read the Seattle Times coverage of the recent sightings here. And if you see one of the coyotes around the neighborhood, comment below, or email us information and pictures to tips@queenanneview.com