Coyotes can be dangerous I got a dog to keep them away at the lake lot and in front of my house I've heard them in both locations. They can and have killed in the past especially with kids like this post about they woman killed last fall they attacked 3 kids in a week in a town not to far away from me here is the link. http://molosserdogs.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?70375.0#post_70383