Coyote Sightings Reach New Highs as Katy Families Strive to Raise Awareness
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
November 3, 2026
By Natalie Cook Clark
Recently coyote sightings have increased throughout Katy causing concern after a Katy dog was killed a few months ago. Families strive for awareness and action as these Katy critters, while natural in our habitat, can cause harm.
In September Katy Magazine covered the story of Eva’s death, a Cinco Ranch French Bulldog that was killed by local coyotes. Now the family is working to use their experience as a lesson to other families.
“If we can save one dog, then Eva didn’t die needlessly,” says Chelsea Garcia.
This is not the first time a Katy family has lost their beloved pet to coyotes. While Chelsea and her boyfriend Jay didn’t witness the fatal attack, other families saw how quick disaster can come.
One family saw their small dog taken as a coyote jumped the fence. Another watched their dog be pulled through a rod iron fence by a coyote. In both cases the family tried to intervene and were unable to save their dogs.
Video credit: Efran Sharifi
Earlier this year, a Katy dog saved their owner and fellow pets from a pack of coyotes. While that story had a happy ending, it still shows the risk in our area.
Sadly, this is a scenario that “Cinco Ranch Area Lost & Found Pet Network” co-founder and admin, Paige Holsapple sees often.
“Katy families need to be aware of the increased activity in the change of seasons, particularly Fall and Spring when coyote families start looking for more calories and easier access to prey in order to get them ready to reproduction and winter,” says Holsapple.
Katy is home to wild animals that can harm our pets and even small children.
It’s true that this is their home too, but Garcia hopes to educate families to help prevent such devastating experiences from happening.
Video Credit: Kim Elwood
And the issue seems to be getting more concerning as several videos from hoe security cameras have spotted multiple coyotes running in packs just this week.
“We’d like for local HOA’s to put up signs to help people know the risks,” says Garcia, who says she wished she had known the dangers of these predators prior to her dog, Eva’s death.
“We have to remember that in Texas we have a lot of varieties of predators who are looking for easy food,” says Holsapple. “We not only have coyotes, but we also have bobcats, alligators in the bayous, venomous snakes, wild hogs who will eat anything—and an occasional cougar who will circle through Katy off of Buffalo Bayou every 6 months or so.”
Holsapple also says that large birds have been known to mistake small pets with squirrels and opossums and take them instead. She says they aren’t necessarily stalking pets but if the opportunity is there, they will strike.
“This is life in Texas, and it’s always been this way,” she says. “Suburbanization has only opened up the opportunities for easier prey with residents moving here from out of state to what they think is ‘Mayberry’ but just on the other side of the fence, along the greenbelts, etc. is ‘Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.’ Wooded areas along the bayou system are natural cover for predators and coyotes’ den in those areas.”
Garcia wants to ensure that every Katy family is aware of the dangers that come with local wildlife.
“People must need to be aware,” she says, “let’s give them the benefit of protecting their pets.”
Garcia is calling for signage to go out among the community, not different than when we see alligator warning signs near waterways.
“We would have appreciated knowing how bad this problem is,” says Garcia. “It’s negligent not letting people know that this can happen to a beloved pet.”
Still, education is the best power against a horrible situation.
“Seeing native wildlife such as coyotes and bobcats should be handled the same way as when one sees alligators,” says Fort Bend Constable Major Chad Norvell, Precinct 1. “Leave them alone and they’ll leave you alone.”
How to Deter Coyotes from Your Home
Do not keep pet food outside.
Clean your grill after use.
Clear away potential hiding places.
Cover trash and recycling cans.
If composting, do not add meat or bones.
Keep small pets indoors.
Some families have resorted to using protective vests such as the Coyote Vest to help protect small dogs from coyote attacks.
“The best way to keep your pets safe from loss or being predated on is by keeping them inside-only or on-leash outside with you, and to make sure your pets are microchipped and registered, and always wear a well-fitting collar with an ID tag on with the owner’s name, home address, and two phone numbers,” shares Holsapple.
Garcia and her boyfriend have since gotten a new French Bulldog to add to their family.
“She’s bringing life back into our home, despite her being a terror,” she says. They are taking every precaution to keep her safe including not letting their dogs out in the evening and they are never unoccupied.
