Commentary: The case for sparing coyotes

While I wholeheartedly sympathize with anyone losing their beloved pet — particularly in a violent manner — I put the blame for the loss squarely on the person(s) responsible for the life and welfare of their companion (“Laguna will keep trapping coyotes,” Jan. 15).

Furthermore, the continual near-hysteria and whining exemplified in statements suggesting people are afraid to go into their backyard make me angry.

You may not want to admit it, but your actions (or inactions) and those of others over an extended period of time have not only enabled, but have taught coyotes to be less fearful of humans. At some point, someone or another on your street has left food out, thinking, “How cute!” Or left pet food outside. Or left trash containers not secured. Or pets unattended near sunset or after dark.

But rather than taking responsibility — along with understanding the realities of where you live — it’s much simpler to complain to the city and kill your way out of the nuisance (something Americans have been doing since the day we landed on this continent).

For the city to have begun trapping and killing coyotes without the public’s knowledge months ago is unacceptable. To continue this practice for the foreseeable future is egregious. Out of “83 reported sightings and attacks,” how many were actual “attacks”?

Seeing a coyote and being attacked by one are very different things. And why is it Critter Busters “could not be reached for comment” regarding their methods of capture and killing? If nothing else, the city should be well aware of these methods and be willing and able to enlighten us.

Paint guns with water canisters are a great way to re-educate coyotes. Noise only goes so far. Non-lethal pain will do the trick very quickly. Capturing and killing them will do nothing to give them a healthy fear of humans in the long run — particularly if humans are unwilling to modify their own behavior in very modest ways. “It’s the food source, stupid!”

The bobcat who created havoc at Anneliese was captured and relocated — not killed. I am well aware of the dynamics pertaining to coyote packs in the wild, but it makes much more sense to relocate and release troublesome coyotes and let nature work it out than simply killing them — particularly when we are responsible for their actions.

If the five coyotes who were captured individually had instead been held, relocated and released as a group, problem solved. And believe me, they may be attracted to “low-hanging fruit,” but they’re still getting most of their diet in the wild. Start killing off coyotes and other problems will arise.

Kudos to Mr. Dicterow, who stated “we don’t need to be killing coyotes.” He is absolutely right.

KURT MAHONEY is a Laguna Beach resident.