To think feeding the Coyote was stupid and dangerous?

[Phlem]

A couple of years ago DH and I stayed in an airB&B in Arizona (Sedona). We had a BBQ one night and then sat in the hot tub with a drink. We hadn’t yet cleaned up. We heard some rustling in the yard and it turned out to be a Coyote. I thought it was a wolf at first and shit myself, it was huge, part of me still thinks it was a wolf. I froze, didn’t want to run into the house and risk being chased but obviously didn’t particularly want to sit pretending it wasn’t there either. DH started throwing it sausages and it was coming closer and closer. I eventually threw a bottle at it and then ran into the house shouting at DH.
We argued over it.
Next morning I mentioned it to the host and they were so confused as to why DH fed it and told him not to do it again and to next time make loud noises and scare it off.

DH was retelling this story earlier to family and I was made out to be cruel and uncaring! DH was of course a hero.

I’m still cross as he made out I just started abusing it for no reason! I’ve had “I you make yourself out to be an animal lover!” Thrown at me. WIBU to not feed it and scare it off instead?? The host who was local seemed to think I was in the right but I’ve been left feeling guilty and cruel now.

I’d never, ever encourage a wild animal to come close to humans or see them as a source of food. It will get the animal killed.

Coyotes are really common in the US and scavenge like foxes. No need for your DH feed it, but also absolutely no need for you to throw a bottle at it or get in a panic. They’re not a threat to humans.

’They’re not a threat to humans’

No. Humans are a threat to them.

I thought they were only interested in Road Runners and had an account with ACME?

He shouldn't have fed it but u threw a bottle at it?? Why not just shout and scare it off?

YANBU
I think any behaviour that encourages wild animals to come into human habitations or be closer to humans is dangerous. To human beings if it's a dangerous animal and always to the animal. They are wild and have to be able to fend for themselves in the wild or they won't survive. If they cop on that humans will feed them, they could become dependant. If it's a dangerous animal, it could also turn and literally bite the hand that feeds it. Then it'll probably be destroyed but meanwhile it could have seriously injured or killed a human being.
Your DP is being very U and very unfair, even a bit cruel to guilt-trip you like this, probably to cover up his absolute stupidity. I would be seriously reconsidering if I wanted to stay with a man who could behave like that towards me. OK so you probably didn't need to throw anything at it, but you thought it might be a wolf and were very frightened. I've never seen either a coyote nor a wolf so I wouldn't know the difference and I'd have been scared stiff too. Forgive yourself but have a hard word with your man because he's being bang out of order to you! Good luck!

I hate to say it, I really do but I would have probably done the same as you OP.
That’s not because I dislike coyotes, quite the opposite.
I love animals but wild animals losing their fear of people is never a good thing.
It pretty much always ends in the death of the animal.

I don't think either of you were reasonable.

DH shouldn't have fed it. You shouldn't have thrown a bottle at it.

The owner is a bit biased here - they won't want a coyote visiting their property regularly.

People who feed dangerous wild animals are simply teaching the wild animal to equate humans with food. It never ends well, mostly for the wild animal. YANBU.

You were not in the wrong, your DH absolutely was.

Although since your DH is an idiot you should have thrown something at him.

YWVU to throw a bottle at it. DH was VU to feed it.

your husband is stupid fucking idiot. Feeding wild animals is never a good idea and as has been said, almost always ends in the death of the animal. Additionally coyotes can carry rabies. I used to live in New Jersey and as incomers from the UK we were warned to stay well clear of feral ANYTHING, especially if they seemed to be particularly tame or interested in us. If you look at holidays and tours that take you into the wild...even for short trips and day excursions, the one thing that keeps getting repeated is NOT FEEDING THE ANIMALS....including not leaving food or food wrappings where they can get it...and that includes handbags....and taking food waste and wrapping away with you. If you camp at night you have to take special precautions to keep your food and food related waste where its inaccessible . Where we lived was in a rural area an hour from NY and between several biggish towns and conurbations and the same precautions applied even there. There was even the occasional bear visit and if a bear was spotted local radio used to remind people about securing their rubbish and keeping doors, windows and car windows closed. I won't post a link, just google do not feed the coyotes.