I take my dog on an evening walk every night just before the sun sets on Chase Oaks golf course. Ive done this for years with no problem. This sunday, out of the blue, my Staffordshire terrier/beagle mix was face to face with a coyote. I was frozen for a split second, then ran towards the two and used my "dad voice". The coyote retreated slowly at his own pace to the tree line (10 feet back) with hackles raised. He kept poking his head out of the trees watching us. After about 5 minutes of cooling down, yet remaining on high alert, I looked back at my 6 oclock and about 100 yds away he was back on the cart path. My dogs is 50--55 pounds and looked like the smaller of the two. Thankfully we managed to get out of there with no blood.

Side Question: Had I remembered my sidearm, and the two started to go at it, would I be allowed to defend my animal with the use of a sidearm within city limits or not?

Thanks, and be aware yall!

A wrist rocket sling shot might just be the perfect coyote respect maker! I would have reported the coyote incident to the animal control people or the police.

If you saw a coyote that was more than 50-55 lbs, then you likely didn't see a coyote. More than likely it was a coydog mix, not a coyote, or very unlikely a coywolf mix. Actual coyotes are usually no more than 40 lbs.

If you are legal to carry, you should ALWAYS have your sidearm.

By Texas law, you can protect your dog from an actual coyote attack. That is not to say that the City of Plano doesn't have some sort of regulation, however.

Edit: The sighting was reported to animal control. Also my dog is a shorter/obese ball of love. This coyote was average size I would say, just looked bigger as his legs were longer than my dogs. If I had not been in fight or flight mode he probably would've been around that 40lb mark. His hair all puffed up probably added a few pounds to my opinion as well. Just a full grown male coyote for sure. But brave/brazen as can be!

Heck yes! Our former governor Rick Perry did it!

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/opinion/2010/04/28/rick-perry-drop

Looks like I have a round with that coyotes name on it now. Thanks chad! Not looking forward to the paperwork and mess that would come after. Hopefully never happens again, my stomach was in my throat. Thanks Chad!

There's probably not a golf course in Texas that doesn't have coyotes on it.

Because you're in the MetroMess, I'd suggest you carry both a lethal and non-lethal form of protection. There's just no telling how much doo-doo you might have to go through if you exercised your legal right to protect your property from predation! You would probably win, but chances are, you'd be a lot poorer by the time the bleeding hearts got done with you. A bit of long range pepper spray, like bear spray, or the suggested sling shot would provide your dog some protection while keeping you from becoming embroiled in what could be a very expensive and time-consuming legal battle with the cretins who have invaded city hall in Plano.

Mike, I believe you are right. I was looking at some bear spray yesterday and will most likely resort to that. Like you said, a lot easier and cheaper than arguing with a bunch of puppets.

Add frisbee golf courses to the list of coyote hangouts. I was out with my lab at night in the frisbee golf course fields behind my house, when 2 coyotes came out of the woods and walked about 15 yards in front of us like we weren't even there. Never paid us any attention. Had a sidearm, but no need as my lab didn't bark or even motion at them. It was weird, like I was the only one in the group paying attention. Lol

Anywhere you have any brushy, wild area, or even much in the way of grassy area, you're going to have coyotes.

Just odd to see in a 30 year old neighborhood in Fort Worth.

Yeah cannon, chase oaks is an old neighborhood as well. And there is always dogs being walked on it around dusk and early morning. Going the slingshot and bear spray route, and a glock for anything beyond those dangers.

IF an leo, was in the mix, you could be cited for firearm discharge in city limits, if no witness's were involved, you might get a pass

SSS...

UPDATE. I hadn't walked the course since the initial encounter, and took my dog and ol lady on the same walk. We had made it about 15 steps on the cart path last night before TWO coyotes sprinted towards us, crossing a creek, and 200 yards of fairway to us. I leaned down to grab my dogs collar, and buy that time the first coyotes was almost within range of my fist, and I had already flipped my pocket knife open. Between my yell and slashing attempt, he backed up a few steps. At this point we waved our arms and kept making loud noises, but he just sat and glared at us. I peaked over my shoulder finding the nearest exit of the course onto street, I look back at where to coyote had been sitting and he and his friend were gone. CRAZYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

first frisco, now plano! they are expanding their territory!!!

I think you mean to say that they are reclaiming territory.

Buy a can of hornet/wasp spray, and before you take your next walk in the wilds, shake it up thoroughly and keep it "at the ready." Next time a 'yote comes at or near you, give it a blast in the muzzle with the spray. Betcha anything you won't have much problems any more with that yodel dog. Plus, you have no legal issues with the use of deadly force in the city limits. And, BTW, any two legged predator that might threaten you and yours can be quickly stopped by a blast of the spray right in his face.

Pepper spray is a much better idea.

If you have a CC license, a Browning Buckmark would do the trick. It appears they are getting too brazen and may be a danger to pets and children

Suppressor.

I read water meters for 26 years-we had pepper spray called Dog Halt! that only needed to be used once or twice and the worst dog would go to the far side of the yard when I came in. Now they have Dog Halt! II which is much stronger. I bet the yoties would have a change of heart after a nose or mouth or eye full of this.