Coyotes are not occasional visitors in Rowlett. They live here. If you have outdoor pets or small dogs, this is information you need.
Where coyotes are most active in Rowlett:
- Along Rowlett Creek corridor — The entire creek system from Garland through Rowlett to the lake is a coyote highway. If you back up to the creek, you have coyotes.
- Miller Rd / Liberty Grove area — Lots of undeveloped land and creek access. Highest concentration of sightings reported in the Rowlett Community Facebook Group.
- Near Community Park — The green spaces and wooded areas around the park are prime habitat. Sightings reported year-round.
- Sapphire Bay / lakefront areas — Coyotes follow the water. The undeveloped lakefront parcels are dens.
- The Shores neighborhood — Regular sightings on Ring camera footage shared in the neighborhood Facebook group. They walk through yards between midnight and 5am like they own the place.
When they're most active:
- January-March — Mating season. More vocal (howling at night), more bold, more visible during daytime.
- April-June — Denning season. Females are feeding pups and will be more aggressive about protecting territory.
- Year-round — Dusk and dawn are peak activity. But Rowlett coyotes have adapted to the suburbs and I've seen them at 2pm on a Tuesday on Dalrock.
Keeping your pets safe:
- Never leave small dogs or cats outside unattended — A coyote can clear a 6-foot fence. A small dog or cat left in a backyard is prey.
- Coyote vests — Spiked vests (CoyoteVest brand) for small dogs that make them harder to grab. Sounds extreme but they work. $75-100 on Amazon.
- Motion-activated lights and sprinklers — Coyotes are cautious. Sudden light or water deters them. Install along fence lines.
- Don't leave pet food outside — This is the number one attractant. Bird feeders also attract rodents, which attract coyotes. It's a chain.
- Secure trash cans — Bungee cord the lids. Coyotes learn trash day schedules.
What NOT to do:
- Don't poison them — illegal and poisons the entire food chain. Your neighbor's hawk, your cat, someone's dog.
- Don't shoot them inside city limits — Rowlett has a discharge of firearms ordinance. Call animal control.
- Don't feed them — it makes them associate humans with food. This creates dangerous coyotes.
If you encounter one:
- Make yourself big. Wave your arms. Yell. They are naturally afraid of humans unless habituated.
- Pick up small dogs immediately.
- Do NOT run — this triggers chase instinct.
Report sightings:
- Rowlett Animal Control: 972-412-6219
- The "Rowlett Community Group" Facebook page — residents track sightings and warn each other
Sources:
- Texas Parks & Wildlife — Urban Coyote Management (tpwd.texas.gov)
- Rowlett Animal Control
- Ring camera footage shared in Rowlett neighborhood groups
We live off Miller Rd and see coyotes on our Ring camera 3-4 nights a week. They walk down our street like they're on a casual stroll. Our cat is permanently indoor now.