SAN MARCOS, Calif. (KSWB) – In what could be the most adorable break-in of the year, a sneaky — and surprisingly playful — coyote was caught on video jumping a backyard fence in a gated community to hang out and play with a dog’s toy.
“Our backyard is fully fenced in, but this guy (or girl) jumps the fence to play with our dog Nelson’s toys and eat apples off of our tree,” the local resident told Nexstar’s KSWB.
The curious coyote has turned this family’s backyard into a personal playground — frolicking with balls and chew toys left out by Nelson and helping itself to the low-hanging fruit from an apple tree.
In the footage, seen at the top of this article, the coyote appears calm, confident and even a little mischievous — tail wagging as it noses around for the ball in the backyard.
While coyote sightings aren’t uncommon in North County, seeing candid playing behavior like this is a rare sight, especially in a fully fenced, private yard. Wildlife experts say coyotes are incredibly agile and intelligent, able to clear fences as high as 6-8 feet when motivated by food, curiosity or companionship.
Despite this coyote’s playful behavior, experts still caution homeowners to stay alert by following these guidelines:
- Do not feed coyotes — directly or indirectly. Fruit trees and pet food can attract them.
- Supervise pets outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Secure or bring in dog toys if you’re concerned about attracting repeat visits.
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