Coyote concerns rise in Summerlin community after attack

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – After a video of coyotes attacking a dog on the Nextdoor app went viral, a pet owner says coyotes are becoming a real problem in Summerlin’s Sun City East neighborhood near Lake Mead and Rampart boulevards.

JK Proctor said the coyotes jumped the fence in his front yard around 7 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, when his 16-year-old dog, Bentley, was let out. He posted footage online of the attack, which he said happened silently and in seconds. The footage showed Bentley’s neck and head in the jaws of one of the two coyotes, before Proctor ran off and scared them off.

“It was just a blur, I saw them come in, and then as you can see on the video, they were attacking my dog ​​here,” Proctor said.

Bentley was not injured in the attack. Proctor said he was aware of the coyote presence when he moved to the 55+ community four years ago. But coyotes are becoming more aggressive, he said.

“There are a lot of people, women who are walking their little dogs every morning and evening. And we’ve noticed that the coyotes are starting to chase them. And they won’t run when they whistle,” Proctor said. “You used to be able to run them off by blowing a whistle or banging a pan or something. But they’re getting bolder and bolder.”

On Jan. 19, a woman named Renna Davis also posted on the Nextdoor app about an increased coyote problem in Sun City Summerlin North. “The amount of coyotes I’ve had running through my backyard is at an alarming rate. I’ve lived here since October 21st, and yesterday was 5 times,” her post read. “I’ve lived in Summerlin for over 20 years and never seen it this bad.”

Coyotes can jump fences between six and seven feet, according to the Department of Wildlife’s website. Proctor said because of HOA rules in 55+ communities like his, it’s unlikely to raise fences that high or add coyote rollers. He believes it’s only a matter of time until a human has an ugly encounter with coyotes.

Proctor said he felt conflicted about trying to remove coyotes roaming the area because of the natural habitat nearby.

“I know they were here before us, and I feel sorry for them, because I saw one last summer here and there walking down the street in the heat, and he was stumbling and hungry,” he said. “You know, it breaks your heart to see them suffer.”

But their behavior is getting out of hand, he said.

“It’s getting really bad. They’re getting more and more aggressive. And I think somebody’s going to attack pretty soon,” Proctor said. “I think there is only one option available, and that is to exterminate them. I don’t like the idea of ​​it, but I don’t see any other option.”

Removing coyotes is rarely an option, according to an informational page about coyotes on the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s website, which states:

“Removing coyotes is not a long-term solution. If you have habitat in your neighborhood, coyotes will be in that area. Even if every single coyote is removed, many will come into the area very quickly…Coyotes are very territorial and dependent on their home range. After relocation, they will do anything to get back home where they lack roads, lack resources (food and water) — it’s dangerous for the animal, and counter-effective for the neighborhood.”

In a statement to 8 News Now, C. Douglas Nielsen, regional public information and education supervisor for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, said:

When it comes to managing coyotes, we generally recommend a combination of lure removal, exclusion from specific areas, and consistent hazing. The worst thing people can do when they see a coyote is nothing. By doing nothing, we are hanging up a welcome sign and saying make it yourself at home. We need to make them uncomfortable, and that’s where hedging comes in. We encourage people to smoke actively and consistently.

Attractants can include food left out for pets, fruit falling from trees, or quiet, shady areas that provide shelter. Removing these attractants is an important first step in discouraging coyote presence.

Exclusion techniques may include installing coyote rollers on top of fences or walls. These devices prevent coyotes from gaining footing and pulling themselves up. Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can also help deter coyotes, especially if they frequent the area at night.

Hedging should be done to prevent coyotes from habituating to humans. It uses deterrent actions such as making loud noises, throwing objects, spraying with a hose, or anything else that creates a negative experience for the animal. The goal is to teach the coyote that being in a certain area leads to unpleasant consequences. If there are no food sources and they are regularly smoked, they are much less likely to stay or return to that area.

For pet safety, dogs should always be walked on short leashes to keep them close and prevent tangling, especially retractable leashes. Carrying an umbrella can also be a useful tool – popping it open can startle the coyote and create both a visual and physical barrier. Pets should never be left outside unattended, especially during the morning and evening hours when coyotes are most active.

If there is a significant public safety risk, the Nevada Department of Wildlife asks the public to contact wildlife officials. However, each case is different, according to Nielsen.

“There is no hard and fast rule about when someone should call to report an interaction with a coyote or other wildlife. Every situation and every person is unique,” Nielsen said. “If someone is uncomfortable about their daily life, they want to report their concern. We will evaluate each report on its own merits and determine what the appropriate response should be. In general, education and information are sufficient in many situations. Sometimes a physical response is appropriate, but often not.”

Anyone concerned about coyotes in their area can call the Nevada Division of Wildlife Dispatch at 1-800-992-3030 or its Las Vegas office at 702-486-5127.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, visit KLAS.