Council to Seek Expert Advice Regarding Coyote Invasion

Coyotes are again becoming a problem in the city, officials said.

Councilman John Frackelton said during last week’s council meeting that one resident had written the city about a pet killed recently in his backyard by a coyote.

“I had a similar situation several years ago with a coyote in the backyard,” Frackelton said. “Development up in the hills [above Villa Park] has been driving those animals down into our city. I think we need to make people aware.”

Councilman Bob Patchin said the coyote problem is extensive.

“They’re pretty brazen,” Patchin said. “I’ve seen them walking down the middle of the street.”

Mayor Joseph S. Barsa asked City Manager Fred Maley to arrange for animal control experts to speak to the City Council at its Sept. 24 meeting on the coyote problem.

In an interview, Maley said he hopes to have both county animal control and state Department of Fish and Game officials at the Sept. 24 session.

“Villa Park is one of the cities that contracts with the county animal control, but it really has charge of domestic animals only,” Maley said. He said state wildlife officials have jurisdiction over the wild animals.

Maley said that problems with coyotes in the city “come and go, but it’s a continuing thing over the years.” Some Orange County residents oppose any effort to trap or kill coyotes, Maley said. In contrast, he said, some city residents who have had pets killed by coyotes are demanding a crackdown on the wild animals.

“I want to get as much information to our City Council as possible at our next meeting,” Maley said. “I want to have a balanced presentation.”