Where exactly are these being spotted?  I live in the Shades Plateau area off Savoy.  My dogs are inside at night, but have been waking me up barking in the middle of the night lately.  I thought they were just being "needy" but now I'm wondering if they are hearing things outside....

First, let me offer my sympathies to anyone who has lost a pet.  As to the location of the coyotes, they are raising a litter of pups in the woods between Farley and Carrisbrooke.  My neighbors and I can hear them almost nightly.  The pups get very excited, and start yapping when the parents bring food back.  Not sure how you could get rid of them, and even if you did, it wouldn't be long before more would move in to replace them.  They are all over the state, and I've seen them in every part of the Metro area, including Downtown Birmingham.   Keep small dogs inside at night, and if your cat is declawed it's probably not a good idea to ever let them outside since thay can't climb trees without them.