Canine
Canine
Coyotes
Coyotes are listed as nuisance wildlife in Mississippi. Trapping them requires a specific license from the state, so if you have a problem with one, you'll need to call in wildlife professionals. Some attempts at trapping by police in Mississippi cities have failed, as the animals have managed to escape. On the prowl, they come for people's pets. These wild dogs are opportunistic carnivores who will prey on small dogs and cats, birds, and rodents. If that weren't bad enough, they'll tear up the vegetables in your garden or rummage through the trash can if they're able. Coyotes are extremely dangerous. They pack a potent bite and carry bacteria in their teeth that can prove deadly. They can become aggressive if you encounter them near their den or pups or during mating season. Rabid coyotes are also more likely to attack.
Foxes
The Magnolia State has a complicated relationship with foxes. The Red Fox is Mississippi's designated "Official Mammal Symbol." Yet, it's also on the State government's Nuisance Wildlife List. That isn't a particularly high honor, as it means the State has taken it upon itself to lay out regulations for home and business owners to protect their property against those animals. Foxes are omnivorous, mostly eating small mammals, birds, fruits, grasses, insects, and grains. Your pets, livestock garden, and food storage are eligible fox meals. The animals travel far and wide for food, often roaming as far as 9 miles in a single night. Even if you haven’t seen a fox, your outdoor pets and storage systems may still in danger of them.
They dig dens, often setting them up under porches, decks, and sheds. They can become aggressive if they are frightened, defending the young in the dens, or if they are captured. They are also especially dangerous if they are rabid.
