Letter: Cat-eating coyotes – what’s next– our children?!

EDITOR:
In response to Tove Beatty’s letter last week regarding cat-eating coyotes, I echo her frustration that the officials are completely ignoring the exploding population of coyotes in our Felton neighborhood. By Tove’s count, we’ve lost 15 cats in the past last three weeks! I too lost a furry long-time member of my family, and I’m heart-broken, but let’s all understand that cat-snatching is not all these animals will do. Coyotes can become much more dangerous, and according to wildlife specialist Robert Timm at UC Davis, there have been over 160 coyote attacks against humans in California alone.
The progression by which this can happen is well researched and documented. Paul Curtis, wildlife biologist at Cornell University, describes this sequence of behaviors: First, the generally reclusive animals are increasingly spotted in daylight hours, which demonstrates lack of fear towards humans. Next, pets begin to vanish from yards; then, pets are snatched off leashes. Finally, humans are attacked, generally children.
There are many well-documented studies that show this happening (check out the publicity link at www.coyotebytes.org and the research publication titled “Coyote Attacks: An Increasing Suburban Problem” at www.escholarship.org/uc/item/8qg662fb). As a timely warning to Felton residents I could not help but notice that this weekend (on Sept 3rd), The Denver post reported that wildlife officials in Broomfield Colorado have killed nine coyotes so far in response to attacks on the community’s children.
Dr. Robert Schmidt, who was recently appointed to the USDA’s National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee, says that “Coyote attacks on humans are occurring with disturbing regularity.” He advises that communities must watch for warning signs and take action BEFORE the coyote behavior becomes a problem. “Coyote activity during the day and increased boldness on the part of the animals in approaching humans and attacking pets is a conflict waiting to happen,” he says. “From this point the animals are more likely to attack children.”
This could not be a more direct warning to our community in Felton. Why must we wait for a child to be attacked before action is taken?
Lis Fraser, Felton