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The real problem is people who late at night let pets out without leash to do their 'business' and then the pet doesn't return. Which is why our cats walked on leashes.
I hesitate to comment here, but just can't help myself. By now, I suspect the OP is scared to death to go RVing, for fear they will be attacked relentlessly by wild animals. It appears that the more populated areas have "braver" coyotes. They sure don't bother us out here in the boonies. I would not recommend Florida for sure. You can troll for coyotes with dogs on a leash there, LOL. Bobcats jumping through windows? OK, but how often does that happen in more than one place. People and pets also get struck by lightning, occasionally. Simplepleasures, I would recommend you go to the desert and enjoy yourself. Don't leave pets unattended, but don't be in fear of attacks by animals. It just doesn't happen that often.IMHO
My thoughts as well. I grew up on the farm, lived much of my life in the city but also had 10 years on an acreage in rural WY as well as having spent a lot of RV time in very rural areas and on wildlife refuges. Not one time have we ever been witness to or aware of a coyote attack on any pet in close proximity to the owners. Our dogs have spent many an hour outside on long leads or tie-out devices when we are out camping and yet there have been absolutely no attacks or near miss situations. What can be a problem is that if the dog is not leashed or tied, as they will attempt to chase or otherwise make contact with free roaming coyotes and once out away from the humans, the coyote feels threatened and attacks. Coyotes seldom hunt alone but in pairs or sometimes, especially in winter in packs. The lone dog will almost always loose. Your dog is not in danger if restricted and in your campground or when out walking, at least not from coyotes. Free ranging cats are said to be in greater danger, but I have no experience traveling with cats.
It is actually very true that coyotes in urban communities are far more threat to pets than they are in rural or back-country locations. That is true for several reasons. Urban areas mean that the coyote is adapted to seeing people and while they will keep their distance, they do not frighten easily. In addition, urban areas and ever more developed rural ones tend to have far less of the natural food supply that back-country coyotes rely upon to survive. The primary foods are small rodents, rabbits, and wild fruits, with later animals less common. The linked study says that the rarely eat pets but like so much of natural life they will do whatever is required for survival. I would be much more concerned about coyotes in urban areas where they are known to be around than I would in remote areas.
In most areas and under most circumstances Coyotes are not excessively aggressive. But they will take a smaller dog tied outside. For sure in many areas. Not a good idea to tie a dog out, even during the day. Will it happen to YOU? Perhaps not, but it is fairly common.
They generally are not of any danger to humans, but if you are walking with a dog in the desert alone a large pack may seem threatening. In my experience the more of them - the more they are aggressive.
Generally it is not an issue. But in some areas I'd probably walk with pepper spray, at a minimum. But I often have pepper spray on me for other dogs....
Generally it is not an issue. But in some areas I'd probably walk with pepper spray, at a minimum. But I often have pepper spray on me for other dogs....
The last time Renee got bit (right on her round bottom).... 
I explained it to her.... Walk softly and carry a big stick .... Once she started carrying a sturdy walking stick she never had a problem again.
If your dog is on a short leash that is all that is needed unless you run into the very RARE rabid critter.
Dave
Edited December 5, 2014 by Dave & Renee
The last time Renee got bit (right on her round bottom)....
I explained it to her.... Walk softly and carry a big stick .... Once she started carrying a sturdy walking stick she never had a problem again.
If your dog is on a short leash that is all that is needed unless you run into the very RARE rabid critter.
Dave
Good thing she does not carry that stick when around me....or I'd be bruised, I suspect. I'd sure as heck be "kinder" to her !! 
Good thing she does not carry that stick when around me....or I'd be bruised, I suspect. I'd sure as heck be "kinder" to her !!
Hmmmm...how best to reply. So many possibilities. I certainly could have used the stick when you told me you had to leave the room to get anything done because Danielle & I were talking too much & distracting you. I could be super-tacky & say as long as you didn't try to "bite" me, you're safe. Or I could just take the high road & ship my stick to Danielle for safekeeping... 
Renee
And then you have the idiots like the guy we watched in one RV park who had a bone in one hand, a camera in the other, and was trying to sneak up on a couple of coyotes...as though they weren't perfectly aware that there was a stupid person in their midst!
And then you have the idiots like the guy we watched in one RV park who had a bone in one hand, a camera in the other, and was trying to sneak up on a couple of coyotes...as though they weren't perfectly aware that there was a stupid person in their midst!
Not surprised at all.....
Leads me to quote a good country song by Syd Masters.....
"The more people I meet.... The more I like my dog..." 
Dave
Just last summer some coyotes killed a Canada woman while hiking. She was miles from the nearest road according to the CA news report.
Very near our house, a friend heard a commotion outside, when he opened the door he saw his dog run past, followed by 3 coyotes in hot pursuit. By the time he grabbed his shotgun and got back outside the coyotes were gone, his dog was safe but shivering with fright. BTW, coyotes like cats too. The feral cat situation in this county is nil now.
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