Pasadena Coyote Study Urges Stronger Home Security

Residents should inspect fences and secure trash bins after a city report identified human-conditioned coyotes.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Wildlife

Gouache-painted illustration of a secured trash bin and a wooden fence, representing residential property security measures. — Pasadena officials are urging residents to inspect property fences and secure waste containers following a study on local coyote behavior. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should Pasadena enforce stricter local regulations on wildlife attractants to manage urban coyote activity?

A new city assessment identified one human-conditioned, dog-reactive coyote in a Pasadena neighborhood after a year-long investigation. The report also highlights risks associated with unsecured trash and damaged fencing across several local sites.

Why it matters

Understanding how urban wildlife adapts to local food sources can help households secure their property and reduce unwanted coyote encounters. The study links coyote presence directly to accessible human food and gaps in local infrastructure.

The study examined four Pasadena neighborhoods, finding overflowing commercial bins at Tournament Park and fence gaps at the Patton, Lombardy, and Sheldon reservoirs. Pasadena Municipal Code Section 6.32.110 prohibits the feeding of wildlife.

The players

Pasadena Public Health Department

The local agency responsible for investigating urban wildlife activity and publishing the city's coyote assessment report.

Humane Wildlife Control

The private contractor hired by the city to conduct field studies and observe coyote behavior in local neighborhoods.

The details

Researchers used fixed cameras and in-person canvassing to monitor wildlife movement. Staff actively hazed the one identified dog-reactive male coyote near the Mayfield area to discourage boldness. The findings suggest that unsecured attractants like commercial trash bins and damaged perimeter fences facilitate coyote activity near homes.

December 8-22, 2024: Researchers conducted initial fieldwork in four neighborhoods.
March 2025: Staff performed follow-up fieldwork near the Mayfield area.
October 22, 2025: The Pasadena Public Health Department published its findings.

The Home Front

This assessment aligns with broader municipal trends to curb human-wildlife conflict by strengthening local sanitation and perimeter security ordinances. The findings reinforce the role of homeowners in maintaining property boundaries to discourage urban wildlife from settling near residences.

Check your backyard fence for gaps, particularly if you live near the Patton, Lombardy, or Sheldon reservoirs. Ensure all household trash bins are tightly secured and do not leave pet food or fallen fruit in the yard to avoid attracting wildlife.

The takeaway

Coyote activity is often tied to available food sources like uncontained trash and fallen ornamental fruit. Residents should prioritize fence maintenance and verify that no outdoor food sources are accessible to wildlife to discourage coyotes from entering residential areas.