Griffith Park users outraged by shooting of 7 coyotes

[The Straight Story]

Griffith Park users outraged by shooting of 7 coyotes

The howls echoing through Griffith Park today are coming from joggers, parents and nannies -- not coyotes. Park visitors are angry with wildlife officials' decision to trap and shoot coyotes in the 4,210-acre mountain park.

Trackers were called in to trap and shoot the animals after two people reported being bitten by coyotes in the park within the last month. Seven coyotes have been killed so far.

“I feel it’s a bit extreme,” said Julie Dusevoir of Valley Village, who was near the park’s merry-go-round with her son Max, 2.

In fact, most humans at the park today are on the coyotes' side.
...

In the most recent reported encounter, a man who was lying down near the Travel Town area Wednesday night reported waking up to find a coyote biting his foot, said Kevin Brennan, a wildlife biologist for the California Department of Fish and Game. The man was not seriously injured, Brennan said.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/09/griffith-park-users-outraged-by-shooting-of-7-coyotes.html

[sendero]

1. These people are crazy..

... I'd shoot any coyote I could at any time.

Let them lose a pet or a child, morons.

[dropkickpa]

4. What dumbfuck takes a nap

In an area clearly marked with a sign that says

CAUTION
Wildlife habitat
Dangerous Animals
May be present including
Mountain lions & rattlesnakes

[sendero]

5. Be that as it may...

.. some coyotes are very aggressive (especially those who have bred with dogs) and they don't care if you are napping or not. I shoot them on sight.

[Tempest]

8. Don't want to have a problem with wolves?

Then stay the fuck out of their habitat.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

9. I lost a pet to a coyote ---

in fact, I tried to save my Mom's cat from a pack that had taken him. It was a horrific thing to witness.

With that said, I would never, ever shoot or advocate shooting a coyote.

The coyote only does what is his nature to do. WE are just visitors in his territory, and we need to understand that.

I live a block from a park in SF that has a coyote -- there are postings everywhere about its presence and warnings on how to handle any potential interaction, including warnings about keeping pets indoors. I am fine with this. I am perfectly happy to "share" this space with it.

[madrchsod]

2. i guess they think coyotes are just big dogs....they are not

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

6. Your right

We live in the country and have some Deer and Fox's always come out to get some food, We know when a Coyote is in the area, all the animals (squirrels too) are on their edge,..if they even show up.

Haven't shot one yet but only matter of time.

[tularetom]

3. We used to have sheep - the coyotes thought lambs were a tasty snack

I had no problem at all shooting them.

[MajorChode]

7. I was raised on a farm with all sorts of livestock and never shot one

Mostly we had cattle and chickens. Occasionally we would loose a chicken to a coyote but I don't remember my dad ever shooting one. I suppose he might have if they had gotten too invasive. He was much more concerned about other people's dogs because they would sometimes come on the place, run a cow to death or kill several chickens and not eat any of them.

[YoungAndOutraged]

10. How dare coyotes eat?

I'd say something bad, but that wouldn't solve anything.