NORTH CAROLINA -- The Humane Society of Granville County is warning the public as coyote mating season approaches.

• The organization says for the next four to six weeks, pet owners should not let their dogs out alone and don't allow their outdoor cats to roam
• Pet owners are asked to spay or neuter their pets
• Coyotes can also pick up on the schedules of when pet owners walk their pets

The organization says for the next four to six weeks, pet owners should not let their dogs out alone and don't allow their outdoor cats to roam because male coyotes can become more aggressive during this time of year.

"Although coyotes are prevalent in outlying and rural areas, they’re also thriving in suburban and urban areas, and smaller towns as well," the society said.

Pet owners are asked to spay or neuter their pets because coyotes are attracted to and can mate with unspayed or unneutered domestic dogs. Unspayed female dogs can attract male coyotes, and unneutered male dogs can be lured away by the scent of a female coyote in her ovulation cycle.

The society also says male dogs can be lured by the female coyote’s scent and killed by male coyotes.

Coyotes can also pick up on the schedules of when pet owners walk their pets so the society advises changing up that schedule.