Ohio Coyotes
This Week News – Columbus, Ohio area. LTE’s to
editorial@thisweeknews.com
9/25/07
To The Editor:
While it is understandable that people would be concerned about the
recent coyote sightings in Powell, the mere sight of a coyote should not
be cause for alarm. The animals rarely cause a problem to humans and only
a handful of coyote attacks occur yearly throughout the United States.
Trapping and killing the canines is unlikely to prevent them from
returning since they are drawn to an area because the habitat suits their
needs.
There are plenty of things we can do to make the canines less likely to
be attracted to residential areas. Do not leave food outside for companion
cats and dogs because it can easily attract coyotes to areas where they
are not wanted. Because bird feeders can attract coyotes who are drawn to
the birds and rodents who gather near them, the area below the feeder
should be kept as clean as possible. If a coyote is sighted in a yard or
other residential area, frightening the coyote off through “aggressive”
looking behaviors such as making loud noises and waving your arms should
be enough to drive the coyote away. To protect cats, be sure to keep them
indoors all the time without exception. These simple measures should be
all that is needed to prevent unwanted coyote/human interaction.
Throughout history efforts to eradicate coyotes have failed because
coyote populations increase as they are hunted and trapped. When hunting
drops coyote populations to unnaturally low levels, litter sizes can
increase by 30% or more and the canines begin to breed faster than they
are killed. Thankfully, non-lethal options for practically all conflicts
with wildlife are available to property owners. To learn how to live in
peaceful co-existence with wildlife please visit www.wildwatch.org.
Joe Miele, Vice President Wildlife Watch, Inc. P.O. Box 562 New Paltz,
NY 12561 201-880-4989
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http://www.thisweeknews.com/?sec=home&story=sites/twn/content/pool/exclusives/2007/september/091907-PWL-News-Council.html&tab=tab1
Council approves new trapping law addressing coyote concerns
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007 By KELLEY YOUMAN TRUXALL ThisWeek Staff
Writer
Powell residents will now be allowed to hire private animal control
companies to rid their neighborhoods of nuisance animals such as coyotes.
City council Tuesday night unanimously passed an ordinance that would
amend Powell's animal trapping laws.
Previously, trapping was prohibited on private property and there was
no city law allowing homeowners to hire professional pest control
companies.
The ordinance allows trapping on private property by "licensed and
bonded wildlife removal and control services."
It further states trappers must use "humane methods" and traps that
"are not dangerous to the life or limb of animals to be trapped, or any
persons who have any possibility of coming into contact with such traps."
The change in city law is an attempt to address residents' concerns
over wildlife, particularly coyotes, which many residents say are becoming
more brazen and less fearful of humans.
Powell council members held a meeting in July at which residents spoke
about coyote sightings during daytime and a June attack on a 30-pound dog
on Nathan Drive, in the Ashmoore subdivision.
Removing wild animals considered "nuisances" such as coyotes, will
require property owners to hire professional companies.
Homeowners can set traps for vermin such as mice and rats themselves.
Trapping or hunting domesticated animals is still prohibited.
Under the ordinance, companies would also have to comply with state
laws governing how animals are disposed of after being trapped; for
example under state law coyotes, must be euthanized or released on the
same property on which they are trapped, Ohio Division of Wildlife
officials said.
Homeowners using such services would be required to notify the police
department, and trap locations would be public record.
Earlier this summer, Powell received two proposals from animal control
companies for citywide services. Those could cost hundreds of dollars per
day for coyote trapping and removal services.
Nuisance Wildlife Management of Delaware would charge a $1,800 annual
retainer and $99 for each coyote trapped and removed.
Roush Wildlife Nuisance Trapping of Marysville would cost $435 per day,
according to the proposals.
The next council meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2, at the Village
Green, 47 Hall St.
