Do you live in the USA? If yes, you might want to call your local Dept of Natural Resources to discuss this with them.

When I first moved here on my farm twenty-five years ago we didn't have a coyote problem but in the last ten or so years we have had a huge increase in the coyote population and my neighbors and I used to have lots of barn cats but no longer do because the coyotes have killed them all. I know that coyotes are part of our ecosystem and all and have a right to live but twice I heard my cats' death screams when the coyotes came into the yard and it was very distressing to me.

As others have said they are a problem killing pets and baby livestock. People who breed horses/cattle/sheep/what-have-you often put mules in with their livestock because they will stomp coyotes and protect the herd. I know that isn't your situation but just sayin' they are a widespread problem. As George said some areas offer bounties for them. In my state there is a program that pays $50 for each coyote killed. As human population has increased and spread into what was once wild animals' habitat many animals have found it hard to live but coyotes are flourishing and actually are increasing in population and spreading into urban areas more and more.

I watched a program about coyotes on PBS and it was very interesting. There are differences between western and eastern coyotes in the USA. Western coyotes are smaller and hunt by themselves and eat smaller prey like rabbits, squirrel, similar. Eastern coyotes tend to be a bit larger and sometimes hunt larger animals in packs. They have been known to attack children and adults quite a few times but usually not fatal attacks. However a couple of years ago they attacked and killed a Canadian singer and they were able to determine from coyotes' stomach contents that at least two coyotes were involved in the attack.

I have a humane trap that I have used to catch feral cats and a few raccoon but coyote are too big for them. The DNR might have some that size but I couldn't find any for sale in my area big enough.

Good luck.