Tucson sits in active Sonoran Desert coyote habitat. City code prohibits feeding wildlife, and Arizona Game and Fish Department handles aggressive-coyote calls. Residents are expected to haze, not feed, and to secure pets and trash.
Coyotes are common across Tucson neighborhoods adjacent to washes, foothills, and Saguaro National Park. Tucson Code Chapter 4 and Pima County wildlife rules prohibit intentional feeding of wildlife, which conditions coyotes to people and elevates conflict risk. Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is the lead agency for nuisance or aggressive coyotes; Tucson Police generally refer reports to AZGFD or PACC depending on whether a domestic animal was attacked. Recommended practice is to haze (yell, wave arms, throw small objects), keep small pets leashed, secure trash, and remove pet food and water bowls overnight.
Feeding coyotes or leaving food out for wildlife can trigger civil citations under the wildlife-feeding rule and may be cited as an attractive nuisance during repeat-offender enforcement.
Tucson, AZ
Pima County Code and Arizona Game and Fish regulations prohibit intentionally feeding wildlife such as coyotes, javelina, bobcats, deer, bears, and skunks. F...
Tucson, AZ
Pima County Code Title 6 requires all dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when off the owner's property, except in designated off-leash dog parks. Tu...
See how Tucson's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
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