The official website of the City of Mansfield, Texas

Mansfield Animal Care & Control are primarily trained and equipped to handle domestic pet issues, ordinance enforcement of animal related ordinances, and loose pets or livestock. Wildlife are not domesticated animals and are a vital part of the ecosystem, even in heavily populated areas. wildlife, particularly Coyotes, cannot be safely trapped in most cases and if they are trapped cannot be successfully be relocated. As a general rule it is not good practice to remove wildlife, even from urban areas. The most common practice used by the majority of cities nationally is to implement a Wildlife Management Plan and make sure the citizens are aware of the behavioral patterns and natural lifestyle practices of wildlife in order to coexists with all forms of wildlife.

Until this program can be established it is important for citizens to understand that coyotes are not normally comfortable around humans. In most cases coyotes will only approach humans that they have previously encountered and have determined not to be a threat. Coyotes will normally only be in close proximity to humans if there is a viable food source close by. As a general rule, the only thing necessary for a human to do to ensure their encounter with a coyote, or a coyote pack is brief, is to make a lot of noise and movement in order to scare the coyote. This almost always works and is considered the industry standard preventative method. Should this not work a citizen should call for Animal Care & Control or if in imminent danger, call 911.

In most cases a coyote will not approach a human unless that human has a food source. Pets are definitely considered a source of food for urban coyotes as their natural food sources are limited in populated areas. Citizens who live close to parks, fields, golf courses or any other area with open, uninhabited areas close by, should be aware that wildlife does exists in those areas and pets should not be unattended, even in fenced yards. All pets are required to be on a leash, including cats, unless they are contained in a fenced yard and citizens should be aware that when walking a pet on a leash in a wooded area, or close to any possible wildlife habitat, there is a danger of being approached by various forms of wildlife seeking food. Normally humans are not in danger when this occurs and should therefore be very animated and vocal in trying to scare the predator away but keep in mind that you are holding what the predator considers to be a food source and an attack on the food source is possible. There is nothing that Animal Care & Control can do to eliminate this threat. There are no magic solutions to coexisting with wildlife so each citizen should be aware of the potential threat of wildlife. Should a citizen have a wildlife sighting and have questions about what they should do, Mansfield Animal Care & Control should be able to answer any questions. There is currently information available on our website and in print and available at the Mansfield Animal Care & Control, located at 407 Industrial Mansfield Texas 76063, at the Public Safety Building and at the receptionists counter at City Hall. This material should answer the majority of questions most citizens have regarding wildlife. We would ask that you please be patient and allow us time to address this issue in so that we are able to thoroughly investigate and research every plan of action to ensure the best possible solutions for our citizens.

Mansfield Animal Care & Control - 817-276-4799