Law check; Use of force to protect pet against coyotes?

[Individualist]

My son has a new puppy and is being harassed by a local pack of coyotes. What is the law regarding using deadly force against them? Under what conditions is and isn’t it allowed?

He is a renter in Worcester, residential area, bordering woodlands where they come in. Landlord said he can do whatever he needs to do.

They are stalking his yard and often there are a couple present when he takes the pup out, especially at night. Multiples can be heard nearby. They are staying at a 25-50 foot distance for now, but getting bolder and that can change in a blink. They are not being chased off easily by noise and keep coming back.

I suggested solar motion lights, vinegar around the access points, noise horn, and carrying bear or pepper spray on his person if they attack.

He wants to get a pellet rifle to take out the ones that are constantly stalking the yard. Roughly 25 yards max. He has his LTC and is a very good shot.

I told him to check with GOAL but also wanted to ask here as well.

 

[Chevy 2 65]

No help on the law from me. however, I would carry what you mentioned and also do what it takes to protect my dog.

 

[LakeTrout]

curious how close to his neighbors is he?

 

[LakeTrout]

This guy really has coyotes stalking the yard and coming within 25 feet of him?

 

[Individualist]

curious how close to his neighbors is he?

Pretty close. Small 1/8 acre lots it looks like.

 

[HorizontalHunter]

FWIW:

Coyote season is open and it would be a good opportunity to take a few out and remind them that they should fear man and his pets.

Coyote hunting regulations​

Before you go hunting for coyote, be sure you know the rules. This page contains regulations for hunting coyote in Massachusetts.

2025 hunting season dates
Jan. 1 – March 8, 2025
Oct. 18, 2025 – Mar. 7, 2026

All dates inclusive. Hunting on Sundays is prohibited.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/coyote-hunting-regulations

 

[Individualist]

This guy really has coyotes stalking the yard and coming within 25 feet of him?

Yes. He boarders woodlands and it appears it is a pathway into the residential area. He’s had a bear run through the property as well.

 

[LakeTrout]

Pretty close. Small 1/8 acre lots it looks like.

This is really odd behavior of coyotes. Are you tanking our legs here? Or is this really happening? Just checking.

If these are 1/8 acre lots and this is really happening I would try to press the landlord for a fence before trying to shoot the things as the best method of solving the problem.

 

[Individualist]

FWIW:

Coyote season is open and it would be a good opportunity to take a few out and remind them that they should fear man and his pets.

Coyote hunting regulations​

Before you go hunting for coyote, be sure you know the rules. This page contains regulations for hunting coyote in Massachusetts.

2025 hunting season dates
Jan. 1 – March 8, 2025
Oct. 18, 2025 – Mar. 7, 2026

All dates inclusive. Hunting on Sundays is prohibited.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/coyote-hunting-regulations

He is not “hunting” them and is not a licensed hunter.

 

[LakeTrout]

Yes. He boarders woodlands and it appears it is a pathway into the residential area. He’s had a bear run through the property as well.

I have bears come through all the time and coyotes probably come within 200 feet from time to time. 25 feet is really close. Bears are terrified of the dog, generally speaking. Coyotes may have some interest, but I haven’t seen anything like coyotes stalking the yard and coming that close. Are the neighbors leaving food out or dumping scraps? I guess the pathway might make sense too. I believe it. But I think a fence is the only realistic long term solution.

 

[BTSDOG]

If i could id talk to neighbors,(as long as theyre not moonbats) and see what their opinions are on doing what needs to be done.....

 

[LakeTrout]

If i could id talk to neighbors,(as long as theyre not moonbats) and see what their opinions are on doing what needs to be done.....

Ya try to get the neighbors support or guage their opinion on it. This could go south for him real quick in MA. Especially in bat shit lefty Worcester.

 

[Individualist]

I have bears come through all the time and coyotes probably come within 200 feet from time to time. 25 feet is really close.

Yes it is. It’s just how the property is positioned with regards to the woods where they are coming in from. He’s been on his back porch and watched them come down and into the back yard. It’s a very small yard.

 

[Individualist]

Ya try to get the neighbors support or guage their opinion on it. This could go south for him real quick in MA. Especially in bat shit lefty Worcester.

Absolutely.

 

[jkelly1229]

Has he tried banging the coyotes wife...throwing his keys on the roof and leaving an upper decker?

 

[jkelly1229]

I have bears come through all the time and coyotes probably come within 200 feet from time to time. 25 feet is really close. Bears are terrified of the dog, generally speaking. Coyotes may have some interest, but I haven’t seen anything like coyotes stalking the yard and coming that close. Are the neighbors leaving food out or dumping scraps? I guess the pathway might make sense too. I believe it. But I think a fence is the only realistic long term solution.

I mean i have a couple cougars(the cat not the milf) bobcats...coyotes all get within 50 feet of my house...everyone on all sides has chickens so I'm a cut through.

 

[Parker Schreiber]

On a 1/8th acre lot, odds are your friend lives within 500 feet of their neighbors' dwelling. So they'd need consent from the neighbors as well as the landlord.

General Law - Part IV, Title I, Chapter 269, Section 12E

malegislature.gov

Before opening fire, I suggest they contact the Worcester Animal Control officer.

 

[mibro]

You would need a large pellet rifle to humanely kill coyotes.

"Under Mass.General Law 131, Section 37, a property owner or tenant of land may hunt or take by other means, except by poison or snare, any mammal which he finds damaging his property, provided that such killing is not contrary to any federal law or regulation. Animals killed under this law, must be reported to authorities within 24 hours."


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_mVtLzvzZg

 

[HorizontalHunter]

He is not “hunting” them and is not a licensed hunter.

Understood. Just providing information.

He wants to get a pellet rifle to take out the ones that are constantly stalking the yard. Roughly 25 yards max. He has his LTC and is a very good shot.

This could/would be considered hunting and would violate the 500’ rule.

 

[Individualist]

I have seen plenty of coyote on my property as well, but with a very large dog they don’t come very close. The few that have bolt once they see him.

In this case the fact that they are getting so balsy tells me they are not afraid and figuring out how/when to strike.

 

[Individualist]

You would need a large pellet rifle to humanely kill coyotes.

"Under Mass.General Law 131, Section 37, a property owner or tenant of land may hunt or take by other means, except by poison or snare, any mammal which he finds damaging his property, provided that such killing is not contrary to any federal law or regulation. Animals killed under this law, must be reported to authorities within 24 hours."


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_mVtLzvzZg

This mentions damage of property, but not self or pet protection. Knowing how open to interpretation MA laws are I was hoping for something more specific along those lines. I thought there was a provision somewhere about protecting livestock, which might be closer in nature.

 

[Agnotology]

even well placed, a .22 cal air rifle shot might not have the lethal consequences you want.

I'd hit them with a airsoft rifle on full auto if you don't want to deal with legal ramifications if someone goes moonbat.

If lethal taking them is your only choice, I'd go where no one can testify to anything. Integrally suppressed PCP or Nitro-Piston air rifle with a thermal. Might be the perfect excuse to get one for yourself or the son.

Hatsun 135 QE in .30 cal. Hatsan 135 QE Vortex | Break Barrel Air Rifle | Pyramyd AIR
Hatsun Flashpup QE in .25 cal Hatsan FlashPup QE | Small Game PCP Air Rifle | Pyramyd AIR
AGM Rattler Amazon.com

hatsun makes great rifles across the board for air-power. these things are extremely quiet. Match with a thermal sight, shoot from inside house out of window, but with muzzle fully inside the house. Collect carcass. Have holes pre-dug in the woods. Tell no one. Talk about it never.

You will get no where trying to do things the right way. They will tell you to hire a professional pest removal expert. Or circle jerk you around. Even out here in the Western half, a friend had to deal with beavers and even when the water was in his basement no one would give them the green light to handle it, even though all 7 neighbors were fine with someone smoking the beavers and tearing out the dam. Besides the 7, no one else around for a mile.

 

[chuckules]

Has he tried banging the coyotes wife...throwing his keys on the roof and leaving an upper decker?

Wife lookin’ good…no pointy elbows there…

 

[namedpipes]

My son has a new puppy and is being harassed by a local pack of coyotes. What is the law regarding using deadly force against them? Under what conditions is and isn’t it allowed?

He is a renter in Worcester, residential area, bordering woodlands where they come in. Landlord said he can do whatever he needs to do.

They are stalking his yard and often there are a couple present when he takes the pup out, especially at night. Multiples can be heard nearby. They are staying at a 25-50 foot distance for now, but getting bolder and that can change in a blink. They are not being chased off easily by noise and keep coming back.

I suggested solar motion lights, vinegar around the access points, noise horn, and carrying bear or pepper spray on his person if they attack.

He wants to get a pellet rifle to take out the ones that are constantly stalking the yard. Roughly 25 yards max. He has his LTC and is a very good shot.

I told him to check with GOAL but also wanted to ask here as well.

Does Worcester still operate that shot-spotter system?

It is lawful to kill an animal that is attacking/worrying you or your pet. You'll have to find the cites. The topic has come up here before.

What follows, given your son lives in such a congested area, is anybody's guess. It'll probably make the news.

 

[Chevy 2 65]

Re: Air rifle for coyotes?​

« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2020, 08:54:27 AM »

Yep they work bait is 25 yards away RWS 350 magnum H&N Sniper Magnum .22 Cal, 18 gr right in the head wait for them to be side ways punch insta down on the ground
just saying for a friend

Air rifle for coyotes?

Air rifle for coyotes?

hunting-washington.com

 

[appraiser]

What does he plan to do with the remains once he shoots it.

 

[snax]

Keep leaving food out, so they get used to it. Then poison it.

 

[Dadstoys]

Ya try to get the neighbors support or guage their opinion on it. This could go south for him real quick in MA. Especially in bat shit lefty Worcester.

This
Best thing is shoot , shovel and shut up.
Once you pop one the rest will most likely clear off for a while.
Don't listen to the "Coyotes never attack people or pets" Euell Gibbons "Wildlife experts".
They f*cking right will.
I've shot them as close as 10' (00 buck makes a hell of a mess that close btw.).
He wasn't backing off and I had no illusions of outrunning him

We had two people attacked in my neighborhood in two days and someones golden retriever ripped to shreds.
My Son had a stand off with one right on our back walk.
He had a hammer in his hand and was about to use it but the coyote backed down.
They are predators plain and simple .If in their mind they think they can take you they will try.
Hunger being a big motivator.
Dog it could be food or Territoriality.

 

[Dadstoys]

On a 1/8th acre lot, odds are your friend lives within 500 feet of their neighbors' dwelling. So they'd need consent from the neighbors as well as the landlord.

General Law - Part IV, Title I, Chapter 269, Section 12E

malegislature.gov

Before opening fire, I suggest they contact the Worcester Animal Control officer.

With all due respect , they will tell you they can't/ won't do a thing about it but now if they find one with a hole in it , you will be the first one they come to see.
It's been the standard answer to everyone I know who's call animal control about them.

 

[knoxy]

Coyotes are funny. Up here in ME, i hear huge packs of them whoopin it up every night, very close in the woods. I whoop back at them Never bother anybody. I swear my dogs go party with them. As soon as they quiet down, my dogs, a fkin pappilon and a boxer mutt, come trotting back.