Ohio Warning: "Brazen" Predator Spotted in Backyards

While the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) maintains that these animals are generally avoidant, recent doorbell camera footage tells a different story of predators prowling within feet of back doors.

The Central Ohio Coyote Surge

In the Grove City and Forest Lake areas, homeowners have reported a significant increase in bold coyote activity.

• The Incident: One resident recently captured heartbreaking footage of a coyote snatching a kitten from a backyard in broad daylight. Neighbors report that at least five cats have gone missing in the local area over a single month.
• The Behavior: Unlike typical elusive coyotes, these animals have been spotted lounging on porches and ignoring shouts from residents, a behavior biologists call "habituation," where animals lose their natural fear of humans due to constant proximity and easy food sources.

The Parma "Dog Walk" Alert

In Northeast Ohio, police in Parma have issued multiple alerts this December after coyote sightings matched all of the previous year's totals in just six months.

• Proximity: Residents report encountering the predators during routine dog walks on public sidewalks.
• The Danger: While human attacks are extremely rare, the "boldness" of these animals poses a severe threat to leashed small dogs, as coyotes have begun to view suburban pets as a primary food source.

Black Bear "Wanderers" in the Buckeye State

It isn't just coyotes making headlines. The ODNR Division of Wildlife confirms that black bear sightings are on the rise across the state, specifically in Streetsboro and Hudson.

• The Migration: Young black bears are currently migrating through Northeast Ohio in search of new habitats.
• Suburban Sightings: Bears have been spotted wandering through meticulously landscaped yards and even investigating bird feeders and grills in densely populated housing developments.

A Ghost Returns: The Cuyahoga Fisher

In a shocking twist for wildlife biologists, a fisher—a large, aggressive member of the weasel family—was caught on camera in the Cleveland Metroparks this month.

• The Significance: This is the first verified sighting of a fisher in Cuyahoga County since the mid-1800s.
• The Predator: Fishers are known as incredibly effective hunters, capable of taking down prey much larger than themselves. Their return to the "urban forest" adds a new layer of complexity to Ohio’s suburban ecosystem.

Why Is This Happening?

Wildlife experts point to three main factors driving this "brazen" behavior:

1. Construction Uprooting: Rapid new housing developments are "uprooting" wildlife, pushing them out of their natural woods and directly into established neighborhoods.
2. The "Trash Buffet": Unsecured garbage and pet food left out overnight provide easy calories, encouraging predators to stay within residential zones.
3. Breeding Season: Coyotes become significantly more active and territorial from January through March as they prepare for mating season, leading to more frequent daytime sightings.

How to Protect Your Backyard

The ODNR recommends the following "hazing" techniques to re-establish a predator's fear of humans:

• Make Noise: If you see a predator, don't just go inside. Shout, clap your hands, or use an airhorn to make the environment unwelcoming.
• The "Dusk to Dawn" Rule: Bring all pets inside and remove all outdoor food sources (including birdseed) between sunset and sunrise.
• Lights: Motion-activated floodlights are a proven deterrent for bears and coyotes investigating your property at night.

Reporting a Sighting

If you encounter a predator that appears sick, injured, or displays aggressive behavior toward humans, contact the Division of Wildlife at 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) or your local county wildlife officer immediately.