AUSTIN (KXAN) – Residents in Sunset Valley are being warned by city officials to keep their dogs away from the nature trails due to increased coyote activity in the area.

In the past few weeks, several individuals walking their dogs have seen coyotes trailing them in the brush.

Since it is pup-rearing season for the coyotes, biologists say the coyotes view the dogs as a threat. One reported incident happened in the middle of the day, which is unusual for coyotes.

While there haven’t been any attacks on dogs or humans, on July 26 the City did put up signs along the trails warning people about the coyotes and telling visitors that dogs aren’t allowed on the trails.

Sunset Valley police say they aren’t ticketing people if they bring their dogs, but they encourage people to heed the warning signs.

The majority of the trails run behind the Sunset Valley Meadows neighborhood off of Brodie Lane.

Sunset Valley City Council will discuss ways to control the coyote population at their August 6 meeting.