Protect your pets

Coyotes love a tasty morsel and a dog or cat left outside the RV without supervision can easily be gobbled up. We usually don't worry so much about larger dogs or think about other predators. In eastern Arizona a few days ago, a mountain lion killed a dog that was tied out on a leash by his RV in an RV park in Clifton. The lion came back for the dog, but couldn't drag it away since it was attached by the leash. The mountain lion had crushed its head. You can read more in the CopperEra.com.

Mountain lions and bears could also attack your pet. There were three bear attacks on humans recently in the Tonto National  Forest (See "Hard-sided RVs- good!"). Pets might be easier prey. And, now a mountain lion. Drought conditions are affecting animals- both grazing animals like deer and elk, as well as predators, are coming into more developed areas to find food.

I saw on Facebook where a person in the Colorado Springs area looked out their back window and saw a mountain lion laying in the neighbor's backyard! It had eaten the dog's food and was now resting. The fires throughout the West have displaced a lot of animals and they are seeking food and water sources too.

Do not leave your dog or cat outside of your RV, even in a pen or on a leash. It is not safe, even in an RV park with other RVers - especially in areas where bears, mountain lions or coyotes could roam. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Comments

[Suzanne]

I live in Colorado Springs and we also have two more predators that carry off pets: Great Horned Owls (wingspan 9 feet!) and Black Bears. My friends have seen more large bears hanging around the West Side since, as you said, the drought and fires have ruined much of their nearby habitats. I'm in a park east of the city and we have feral cats here as well. I imagine they could make an easy kill of my smaller housecat. Thanks for the reminder and your blog. Very informative :)

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

Thanks for adding to the list of possible predators of small pets. I wouldn't not have thought of owls or feral cats.

Thanks for your comment.
Jaimie