ATTACHMENT C
THREAT CLASSIFICATIONS
Coyote interactions can vary from normal coyote behavior to aggressive and dangerous. Each interaction described above is classified by the level of threat: Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red. Detailed descriptions of each are listed below along with a recommended response.
Level Green indicates the level of threat when a coyote sighting has occurred, coyote prints or scat are observed, a coyote is heard vocalizing, or a coyote approaches or follows a person that is with a pet. All Level Green interactions are reports of normal coyote behavior and are considered to be a low level of threat. City staff and Humane Society employees respond to Level Green interactions by providing educational material on normal coyote behavior and, when stalking has occurred, hazing techniques and pet safety.
Level Yellow indicates the level of threat when a coyote frequently associates with humans or human related food sources, exhibits tittle wariness of human presence, is sighted repeatedly during the day in playgrounds or enclosed yards, or injures or kills an unattended pet. Level Yellow interactions are reports of mildly habituated coyote behavior. City staff and Humane Society employees respond to Level Yellow interactions by providing educational material on normal coyote behavior and pet safety, distributing the Yard Audit Checklist, and teaching aggressive hazing techniques which may include community hazing and formation of a volunteer hazing team.
Level Orange indicates the level of threat when a coyote injures or kills an attended animal, exhibits aggressive or threatening behavior toward humans such as growling, baring teeth, nipping without making contact or lunging toward a person, or enters a dwelling or an enclosed yard in the presence of humans.
Level Orange interactions are reports of aggressive, habituated coyote behavior and several Level Yellow interactions in the same area may rise to a threat Level Orange. City staff and Humane Society employees respond to Level Orange interactions by providing educational material on normal coyote behavior and pet safety, distributing the Yard Audit Checklist, and teaching aggressive hazing techniques which include community hazing and formation of a volunteer hazing team. Community meetings may be held to increase public awareness and education.
Level Red indicates the level of threat when a coyote has been involved in an investigated and documented attack on a human. Level Red interactions include provoked and unprovoked attacks. All actions taken in response to a Level Orange interaction may be taken. In addition, City staff working with the Humane Society will notify the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) of the incident, and will work with DFW to locate and eliminate the responsible coyote(s). Multiple Level Orange interactions in the same area within a short window of time may rise to a threat Level Red.
City of Pasadena Urban Wildlife Management PlanPage 27 of 31