EDITORIAL: Trying to eradicate coyotes in suburbs may be futile
Coyotes are on the prowl, right here in our suburban neighborhoods.
That’s alarming to many people. Why should we put up with wild creatures that would as soon eat our cat or small dog as a mouse or a squirrel?
And if coyotes will take on a pet, why not a child or even an adult?
Recent media reports detailed how coyotes are spreading into many communities. There appears to be no reason they won’t spread into all.
That’s alarming to many people. Why should we put up with wild creatures that would as soon eat our cat or small dog as a mouse or a squirrel?
And if coyotes will take on a pet, why not a child or even an adult?
Recent media reports detailed how coyotes are spreading into many communities. There appears to be no reason they won’t spread into all.
One animal was captured in downtown Detroit a few years ago. They live in our parks, our golf courses and small woodlots.
They have no predators, but prey on small wild animals such as rabbits, squirrels and mice. They’ll eat garbage and dog food left outside in a bowl.
But they’re wary or afraid of humans. We are not ordinarily their prey, although there are occasional exceptions. And they may lose their wariness if they find food easily near our homes.
State law permits trapping and shooting on private property without a permit if owners believe the animal may cause damage. While urbanized communities may permit trapping, they don’t ordinarily permit shooting for obvious reasons. Some cities will trap the animals, but most leave that up to homeowners or the private companies which homeowners call on.
We shouldn’t put up with them if they’re aggressive, unafraid of us or attacking our pets.
As for the rest, who are normally shy of humans, we’ll put up with them because we have little choice.
They have no predators, but prey on small wild animals such as rabbits, squirrels and mice. They’ll eat garbage and dog food left outside in a bowl.
But they’re wary or afraid of humans. We are not ordinarily their prey, although there are occasional exceptions. And they may lose their wariness if they find food easily near our homes.
State law permits trapping and shooting on private property without a permit if owners believe the animal may cause damage. While urbanized communities may permit trapping, they don’t ordinarily permit shooting for obvious reasons. Some cities will trap the animals, but most leave that up to homeowners or the private companies which homeowners call on.
We shouldn’t put up with them if they’re aggressive, unafraid of us or attacking our pets.
As for the rest, who are normally shy of humans, we’ll put up with them because we have little choice.
No urbanized community, to our knowledge, has ever successfully eradicated the wild creatures.
Attempts to eradicate coyotes are virtually certain to have bad consequences.
Eradication programs may remove individual coyotes, but wildlife experts tell us others will soon occupy the habitat. Trapping and poisoning may work, but they’re apt to work on other animals, including our pets. And they might inadvertently harm our children.
The likelihood of attack is small. A child was reportedly killed by a coyote in California 30 years ago. A handful of attacks on humans are reported in the nation each year.
People, including children, are far more likely to be bitten by a dog than a coyote.
At this point, there’s no will to do more than cull aggressive animals. That might change if some coyotes, perhaps because they’ve been fed by unthinking humans, grow unafraid of humans.
In the absence of that unlikely event, it’s better to live and let live. And keep our cats and small dogs inside.
Attempts to eradicate coyotes are virtually certain to have bad consequences.
Eradication programs may remove individual coyotes, but wildlife experts tell us others will soon occupy the habitat. Trapping and poisoning may work, but they’re apt to work on other animals, including our pets. And they might inadvertently harm our children.
The likelihood of attack is small. A child was reportedly killed by a coyote in California 30 years ago. A handful of attacks on humans are reported in the nation each year.
People, including children, are far more likely to be bitten by a dog than a coyote.
At this point, there’s no will to do more than cull aggressive animals. That might change if some coyotes, perhaps because they’ve been fed by unthinking humans, grow unafraid of humans.
In the absence of that unlikely event, it’s better to live and let live. And keep our cats and small dogs inside.
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