California town approves process for trapping and euthanizing problematic coyotes

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California town approves process for trapping and euthanizing problematic coyotes Oct 24, 2019 19:53 ET Original: California town approves process for trapping and euthanizing problematic coyotes [Reprinted from original] While many of its neighbors are opting for a regional coyote-management program that focuses on scaring the animals away from neighborhoods, San Dimas is taking a more aggressive approach. The San Dimas City Council unanimously approved its own coyote-management plan this week, green-lighting a process for trapping and euthanizing problematic animals. Under the plan, adopted Tuesday, Oct. 22, city staff will provide human-coyote conflict mitigation strategies, educational materials, and support wildlife reporting and response rather than contract with San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to provide those services. “I like the fact that staff took ownership in this proposed plan to be able to address us locally,” Councilman Ryan Vienna said prior to the vote Tuesday. “I do think it’s a local issue and I think it’s important to the citizens that they know that staff is not only empathetic but sympathetic if you’ve lost a pet to a coyote.” Bypassing the regional plan will require additional staff resources, said City Manager Ken Duran. A report with costs and staff time will come back to the council, he said. Assistant City Manager Brad McKinney said the city’s plan was revised from an earlier proposal after several city leaders questioned whether hazing strategies – methods of scaring coyotes away from urban areas – are effective and directed staff to look into trapping methods. As part of the approved plan, a coyote may be euthanized under the following scenarios: If the animal enters a yard and injures or kills an unattended pet, or a pet on a leash; If it follows a person with or without a pet; If it bites a person. These incidents would have to be reported to the city, which then would contact Los Angeles County. The decision to trap or remove a coyote would be based on the recommendation of a county specialist, McKinney said. Each trap that is set could cost the city $3,000, he said. “I think the response level is excellent,” Councilman Dennis Bertone said. “This is not a wholesale killing of coyotes, this is a response to the ones that are causing the problems.” Vienna said he was surprised to learn from a Los Angeles County specialist at an Oct. 15 community forum that removing one coyote can change behavior in the area for a period of anywhere from six months to more than a year. “For six months to a year, I’d call that a win,” he told his colleagues, later adding: “I want people to feel safe again and I think staff is achieving that with this plan.”

California town approves process for trapping and euthanizing problematic coyotes Oct 24, 2019 19:53 ET Original: California town approves process for trapping and euthanizing problematic coyotes [Reprinted from original] While many of its neighbors are opting for a regional coyote-management program that focuses on scaring the animals away from neighborhoods, San Dimas is taking a more aggressive approach. The San Dimas City Council unanimously approved its own coyote-management plan this week, green-lighting a process for trapping and euthanizing problematic animals. Under the plan, adopted Tuesday, Oct. 22, city staff will provide human-coyote conflict mitigation strategies, educational materials, and support wildlife reporting and response rather than contract with San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to provide those services. “I like the fact that staff took ownership in this proposed plan to be able to address us locally,” Councilman Ryan Vienna said prior to the vote Tuesday. “I do think it’s a local issue and I think it’s important to the citizens that they know that staff is not only empathetic but sympathetic if you’ve lost a pet to a coyote.” Bypassing the regional plan will require additional staff resources, said City Manager Ken Duran. A report with costs and staff time will come back to the council, he said. Assistant City Manager Brad McKinney said the city’s plan was revised from an earlier proposal after several city leaders questioned whether hazing strategies – methods of scaring coyotes away from urban areas – are effective and directed staff to look into trapping methods. As part of the approved plan, a coyote may be euthanized under the following scenarios: If the animal enters a yard and injures or kills an unattended pet, or a pet on a leash; If it follows a person with or without a pet; If it bites a person. These incidents would have to be reported to the city, which then would contact Los Angeles County. The decision to trap or remove a coyote would be based on the recommendation of a county specialist, McKinney said. Each trap that is set could cost the city $3,000, he said. “I think the response level is excellent,” Councilman Dennis Bertone said. “This is not a wholesale killing of coyotes, this is a response to the ones that are causing the problems.” Vienna said he was surprised to learn from a Los Angeles County specialist at an Oct. 15 community forum that removing one coyote can change behavior in the area for a period of anywhere from six months to more than a year. “For six months to a year, I’d call that a win,” he told his colleagues, later adding: “I want people to feel safe again and I think staff is achieving that with this plan.”