The following is a cautionary tale: When wildlife comes with the territory, humans best behave.
When Ryan Matthews moved to Anthem in 2003, it was the modern conveniences combined with the rugged beauty of the desert that appealed to him. Nine years, a wife, three children and two dogs later—the occasional snake or bobcat hasn’t disturbed him… until recently.
It was dinnertime on Dec. 11 when Matthews barely heard a faint noise in the yard. In fact, the noise didn’t really register until he had to recall the events that led up to the horrible discovery.
When he noticed Leche, their 10-year-old miniature poodle missing, he checked the backyard. He began to feel a pit in his stomach. Then he realized Snickers, their 2-year-old yellow lab, was sounding the alarm to something amiss in the wash.
Matthews’ flashlight search took him no more than 30 feet from the back fence where a trail of blood led to a grisly sight. “I was just heartbroken that it was her.” He struggled with what to tell his three young kids who, he said, would be too disturbed by the truth.
Who Killed Leche? “She’s not one to try to find her way out. She can’t fit through the fence,” he said. Then that faint sound came back to haunt him.
Matthews is not sure what attacked the 13-pound poodle, bringing sudden sadness to his family, but neighbors had reported bobcat sightings during the past few weeks, Matthews said. He suspected a bobcat grabbed Leche, leapt the fence, then abandoned its kill when Snickers started barking.
“More likely it was a coyote,” said Darren Julian, Arizona Game and Fish urban wildlife specialist. Attacks by owls and hawks are also common this time of year, he said.
But sightings of bobcats in the neighborhood have Matthews and his neighbors concerned.
Donna Dorich said she saw a bobcat jump into a neighbor’s yard where a small dog lives. When she rang the bell to warn her neighbor, Dorich said the resident was blasé; “I know… He comes back there all the time.”
Natural Fear is Good A bobcat in the neighborhood is no cause for panic as attacks on humans are rare, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department. But, encouraging wild visitors can end in disaster. And, knowingly feeding wildlife other than birds or ground squirrels is illegal in Maricopa County, according to ARS 13-2927.
“The reason why it’s illegal is because most of our incidents where wildlife causes a human or public safety situation, it’s because of humans feeding wildlife,” said Julian.
Bobcats are opportunistic feeders equipped to kill prey as large as a deer, according to AGFD. Encouraging bobcat visits by providing food can make them more comfortable around humans. Don’t mistake that for being more docile. And, while feeding bobcats is not easy, (they prefer their own kill, said Julian) putting out food for other small animals has the same effect.
Even indifference can be dangerous. “If they have no negative consequences, they’ll get closer and closer,” Julian said.
One week after Leche’s death, Matthews pulled in to work near Walgreen’s on Daisy Mountain Drive. “There was a bobcat walking between the two buildings. It was not afraid of us at all; It just kind of sauntered into the wash,” he said. “I hate to think it might be the same one who got our dog.”
Keep Wild Animals Wild If you see a bobcat in your yard, AGFD recommends discouraging its visit with loud noises or the spray of a hose.
- Keep pets (dogs, cats, birds) in a secured enclosure with a sturdy roof.
- Feed your pets inside, or remove uneaten pet food between feedings.
- Avoid feeding other small animals that can become prey.
- Close or patch openings in fences.
- Keep an aluminum can filled with pebbles handy.
- Keep shrubs trimmed to deny hiding places.
- Do not expect your 6-foot fence to deter a bobcat; It can jump as high as 12 feet.
- Work with your neighbors to ensure no wildlife feeding takes place.
Report anyone who knowingly feeds wild animals to Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 800-352-0700.
Editor’s note: Most of the names in this story were changed. The subject wished to remain anonymous to protect his children from the graphic demise of their beloved pet.
