Coyote sightings reported along popular walking trail in Clovis

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Coyote sightings on a popular Clovis walking trail are raising some safety concerns.

ABC30 Insider Randy Butler shared videos of a coyote spotted on Dry Creek Trail near Alluvial and Clovis that he says isn't easily spooked.

Those walking the trail Wednesday morning didn't have too many concerns about the animal, even ones who had seen it within the past week.

"The first time I saw it, I actually thought it was a dog, and then as I got closer, I noticed that it moved a little differently. It seemed to me like, maybe it was really hungry because it seemed kind of weak to me," said Benjamin, a Clovis resident.

"It seems to mind its own business. It hasn't really bothered me."

Benjamin says he's walked the trail for several years.

While the coyote doesn't bother him, he understands the concern for people with kids.

Chris Nevosh shares the concern for people with small pets.

She says the coyote followed her and her large chocolate lab before dawn last Wednesday morning.

"There's the coyote right on our tail about five feet away from my dog, ready to look like it was gonna pounce on her," recalled Nevosh. "We started screaming at it, and it ran into the creek, but then it just kept coming up and chasing and following us and chasing us and going back down in a creek and coming up, and it followed us for good 300 yards."

Clovis police say they've received one report of a coyote in the area over the weekend.

If you do spot a coyote, the department says your first step should be calling their non-emergency number.

"While posting this social media, such as next-door neighbors or other apps that may warn your neighbors, friends or family of coyotes or other dangers in the area, we really need you to call law enforcement immediately if there is really a danger to the public. After that, we encourage you to post to social media and carry on," said Ty Wood with the Clovis Police Department.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say keep your distance if you do see a coyote and, if necessary, yell or throw objects to scare it away.

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