RESTON, VA: A Reston woman contacted Patch.com that let us know that she saw a coyote in the backyard of her apartment building, located on Becontree Lake Drive, Reston.

"I saw your Patch article on coyotes in Manassas, and wanted to let you know I saw one in our backyard in Reston," said Gisele Cloutier. "Our apartment building backs onto a wooded area. At first I thought it was a fox because we've seen those, but no bushy tail and the face and coloring were different. Seeing the coyote photo on your article, I now know it was a coyote!" Cloutier said she saw the coyote in the mid afternoon yesterday.

"It was skinny, looked mangy too. At first I thought it was a sick fox, but it looked a lot more like the animal on your coyote picture in the article," she said. Cloutier was referring to an article posted on the Manassas Patch on Jan. 7:

Coyotes Spotted in Manassas Area Coyotes are not a big concern in Fairfax County, according to FCPD wildlife biologist Earl Hodnett in a post on the Fairfax County Government website. Hodnett says that you don't have to do anything if you see a coyote. However, if a coyote is behaving abnormally or aggressively, like a rabid dog, then call the county police non-emergency number 703-691-2131 and they will dispatch an animal control officer.

Coyote Tips

The best way to prevent them from becoming a problem is to not give them a reason to take up residence in your community.

If anyone in the neighborhood is feeding wildlife directly, or indirectly, it can cause trouble for everybody. Feeding wildlife will cause coyotes and other wildlife to lose their natural fear of humans.

Keep trash inside until the morning of trash pick-up or place trash in an animal proof container, such as a metal or plastic trashcan with latches on the lids.

Do not leave pet food outside; keep pet feeding areas clean.

Remove bird feeders when problem species have been seen around them.

Close up all openings under and into your buildings. Animals look for places to den and raise their young - don't give them that opportunity.

Clear fallen fruit from around trees.

Keep brushy areas in your yard cut down to prevent cover for coyotes.

Keep small pets inside, and on a leash when outside; they may be viewed by a coyote as prey. Larger dogs are viewed as a threat particularly from January to June while mating and birthing coyote pups.

Install coyote proof fencing to protect unsupervised pets. If you are experiencing a problem with coyotes or other wildlife, call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries toll-free wildlife conflict helpline at 1-855-571-9003. SEE ALSO: How To Keep Coyotes Out of Your Yard