Dealing With the Coyote Problem

* Just how does Bruce Bialosky (Valley Commentary, Dec. 26) suggest coyotes be trapped? Much research by the professionals has already been done on trapping. Padded leg hold traps? I think not! They are cruel and do not discriminate between coyotes, deer, bobcat, household pet cat, household pet dog or household child!

Shall we also eliminate raccoons and opossums, which have also assimilated beautifully to the pressure of the urban development, both north and south of Ventura Boulevard?

Homeowners with gardens would dearly love to rid them of rabbit and deer. Shall we trap them as well, or would the elimination of Bambi and Thumper make the issue unpopular and/or more cruel? How about the homeowners with expensive Koi ponds? Shall we kill off the raccoons?

Yes, the coyotes were here first! We, much later! Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect our privately owned pets as well as our children!

The solution to this problem may be found in education and the subsequent application of what we have learned, not the eradication of a species. Cohabitation is most certainly possible.

JUDI WILLIAMS

Chatsworth

* Thank you for Bruce Bialosky’s compassionate and comprehensive article.

As he pointed out, it is sad that a decision which has such a serious impact on public safety was made by both the Animal Regulation Commission and the City Council based on the number of votes that were (loudly) represented within the powerful “humane” community, rather than on a common-sense approach.

Unfortunately, the very knowledgeable and competent people who had effectively protected our communities until that time were portrayed as barbarians bent on the destruction of these creatures. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We have created an environment where, unfortunately, wildlife (including our friend the coyote) has lost its fear of humans. This is dangerous to both people and animals. Coyotes are extremely intelligent and have quickly learned that it is much easier to obtain “fast food” in someone’s dumpster or yard (including their domestic pets) rather than running it down in the brush areas. Also, their traditional victims--deer, rabbits, etc.--have sensed the safety of being closer to the human community and draw their predators into our streets.

We need a balanced approach to this problem, and it is no great mystery. The county responds to complaints regarding coyote invasion by setting traps and monitoring them. The mere presence of these threats to their freedom generally causes the coyote to retreat farther back into the wild lands.

There are parallels between coyotes and domestic dogs and cats. A larger food supply creates larger litters. We control this by spaying and neutering our personal pets. We have destroyed most of nature’s methods of doing so with the coyote.

We are all part of the “humane community.” We need to be humane to all living things. This can be done by creating a balanced living environment with selective trapping to set up parameters that will recondition the coyotes to return to a neutral field, naturally reduce breeding and safeguard pets and small children (for many of us our pets are our children) who also have a right to life.

PHYLLIS M. DAUGHERTY

Los Angeles