Coyotes to be topic of H.B. town hall meeting today

Huntington Beach will host a town hall meeting Monday intended to inform residents on how to protect their pets and themselves from aggressive coyotes.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 1207 Main St.

Police Chief Robert Handy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Lt. Kent Smirl and representatives of Orange County Animal Care and Animal Pest Management Services Inc. will address concerns regarding coyote attacks.

In September, 58 incidents of pets injured or killed by coyotes were reported in Huntington Beach. No attacks on humans were reported.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife suggests these steps in protecting against coyotes:

• Step forward and become the aggressor.

• Throw sticks, rocks or other items at the coyote.

• Yell and make loud noises.

• Pick up your pet and back away from the coyote. Do not run.

• Call local animal-control officials.

• Do not try to scare a nursing or injured coyote.