Coyote Sightings Increase Near Housing Development

Complaints about coyotes wandering around a new housing development in La Mirada have increased in recent months, leading county animal control officials to suspect that they underestimated the number of animals in the area.

Jaime Moraz, manager of the County Animal Shelter in Downey, said more sightings have been reported than at this time last year, when the county attempted to crack down on coyotes.

“We’re learning that we have a larger population of coyotes than we originally thought,” he said, adding that many of the sightings can be attributed to the mating season.

County officials have been stymied in their efforts to control coyotes that they say roamed westward when a housing development on the eastern part of the city cleared away much of the natural habitat of the animals. Traps have failed to contain the coyotes, as have early morning expeditions to rout out the creatures.

Moraz recommended that La Mirada homeowners keep small pets and pet food inside overnight.