Coyotes exist in 49 of 50 states, excluding Hawaii.! Regardless of Mr. Obama's claim to 57 states.... My German Shepherd saw a confrontation with a "yote" here in south Florida as a challenge to his imaginary sheep herd. He was prepared to chase that intruder to Cleveland, with a plane change in Atlanta! My money was on my dog! 
Years ago I had to drive down to LA on business, so I was wearing my fancy dress clothes, dress shoes, a tie, the whole nine yards. I took the dogs (my old Chessie, a German Wirehaired Pointer pup, and our German shepherd out for a last chance to lift their legs, and of course that was when they put up a coyote at the bottom of the hill. I blew the whistle and the Chessie and wirehair came running back like good little soldiers, but the shepherd took off in hot pursuit. I threw the Chessie and wirehair in the kennel, grabbed a handgun and went running after him.
I followed the trail to the top of the next hill where three bull elk jumped up from the long grass in front of me. I broke the world record for the backwards long jump, did a detour around that area, and of course I lost the trail. But way down in the canyon I could hear the shepherd's jaws popping the way they do when they're fighting. I ran down there, stopped to listen, and realized the sound was echoing off the canyon wall. Ran back up to the top and saw a coyote running through the brush. Charged in after him and saw another sky-lined against the horizon. No shot, but I ran toward him. Saw another coyote off to the side, but again, no shot. Heard the jaws popping again and ran toward the sound.
That shepherd had gotten himself up in some rocks where his flank was protected, and he was taking on - or holding off - all comers. I grabbed him by the collar, dragged him home, and threw him in the kennel. By then, my suit was ruined, my dress shirt was soaked with sweat, my dress shoes looked liked the dogs had been chewing on them, and my mood was less than serene.
Later, when I checked the shepherd carefully, I found a neat puncture hole in one hind leg where they had tried to hamstring him.
Fun with dogs.
JP
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