Seal Beach community reacts to trapping decision

Citizens’ reactions to the Seal Beach City Council’s Monday, Sept. 23, vote to trap coyotes have supported the decision. However, some individuals thought city officials took too long and others regretted the necessity of killing coyotes.

Still others have advocated relocating coyotes, though that is illegal in California.

Julie Megill said she was thrilled by the decision. She would kill one herself if she found a coyote in her back yard with her pet.

“I’m on the border of (West Garden Grove) and they started doing this last year and the sightings and problems have dropped tremendously,” Megill said.

However, Megill said she would rather take coyotes out to the desert.

Britt Michele was one of the few who opposed killing coyotes. “Why kill them? They are wild animals. We are on their land pushing them out of their habitat. And they are in survival mode because of the drought and looking for food and water,” she said.

Leisure World resident Sandy Hughes said she was happy the council was trying to do something to bring safety back to the community again. She said that residents of the retirement community felt like they were in a war zone.

“It’s a horrible feeling not to be able to walk freely in your neighborhood without fearing a coyote will be around the next turn,” Hughes said.

Cindy Alejo Paulos said she was glad about the decision. “A coyote hangs out by Edison Park where my kids play. I shouldn’t have to bring a bat just to take my kids out for fun, sun and exercise. For those of you who think kids and pets should be kept indoors 24/7 for their safety, would you want to be a shut-in? Do they even make litter boxes for dogs?”

Local businesswoman Sara Parra preferred a non-lethal alternative. “Sounds a bit cruel, can’t they be relocated?” she asked.

Cindy Alejo Paulos told Para that relocating coyotes is against state law.

“Although it may seem like a more humane alternative, relocating coyotes is not a good idea,” Paulos said. “Relocating a coyote is most often a death sentence for that animal. Coyotes are very territorial and occupy large home ranges up to 40 square miles. If relocated, they will do almost anything to get back home. Unfamiliar with their new terrain, they are often killed by cars. They can be injured or killed during territorial disputes with coyotes already established in the area that they are released in.”

Marcelo Mills also argued against relocating coyotes. “It’ll worsen the ecosystem elsewhere. Nature has a balance and we keep screwing with it. Exterminating the problem here is the price you pay for ‘relocating’ them here in the first place.”

Sean Kibler was enthusiastic about killing coyotes. “I’ll do it for free. Where do I sign up?”

Jim Bohlin was a reluctant supporter of trapping. “I guess they have to, but I’ll kind of miss the guy in my neighborhood. Can we also trap and fine the people who attract coyotes by letting their dogs and cats run free?” Bohlin asked.

Michael Cowan also opposed killing the coyotes. “Remove the food supply and there wouldn’t be a problem. But, people don’t seem to want to do anything that would inconvenience them, so we’ll kill the coyotes instead. I’ve had some of my pets attacked by raccoons here. But, I’m not calling for their eradication.”

Some residents are concerned that the city will be fining residents who leave food out for coyotes. Amber Conley said she usually leaves a bowl of dry food out if they are leaving for the day.

Shelly Bolander said pets would cope. “I grew up feeding our pets indoors. Dogs were fed in the am and pm and that was it. For the cats we just left food in bowl and nibble when they feel like it,” she said.

Mills said trapping the coyotes was a good idea, as long as the City Council did not hire friends to do it for $100 an hour.

David Filippo of Critter Busters told the City Council this week it would cost $2,500 to put out four traps for two business weeks.

The council agreed to have trapping performed for two two-week sessions. The council will review the trapping on Monday, Oct. 13.