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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.05 CoyotesCITY CLERK FILE # 500-10 AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: June 6, 2000 SUBJECT: Informational report regarding coyote incidents at Dougherty Hills Park Report Prepared By: Amy Cunningham, Administrative Assistant ATTACHMENTS: RECOMMENDATION: 1. Proposed language for coyote warning signs 2. Informational brochure from California Department Fish and Game, "Living with California Coyotes" F' 1. Receive Report of FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION: On May 2, 2000, Staff was notified by Alameda County Animal Control of a coyote incident at the undeveloped Dougherty Hills Park. The park is bordered by Stagecoach Road on the west, Amador Valley Boulevard to the south, and Wildwood and Crossridge Roads to the east. A resident reported that while he and his girlfriend were walking their two leashed dogs on the trail, a coyote charged them. The man yelled loudly and the coyote retreated. After this incident, Animal Control recommended the posting of warning signs. Staff asked Animal Control to provide language for the warning signs. Animal Control Staff also contacted the Alameda County Vector Control coyote trapper who also recommended warning signs be posted. In the event the coyote becomes a public nuisance, the trapper would need to obtain authorization from the California Department of Fish and Game to eradicate the animal. On May 18, 2000, Staff received a second Animal Control report of a coyote attack in the same area. The resident called to report that while she was walking her dog off-leash at the park, a coyote attacked and killed the dog. Staff has requested that Animal Control document all coyote incidents within the city. Staff is also in the process of posting warning signs (see Attachment 1 for language). The crime prevention block captain in the area of Dougherty Hills Park is publishing coyote warning information in the neighborhood bulletin. Information about appropriate response, in the event of coyote contact, has also been disseminated to Police Services personnel (see Attachment 2). RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council receive the report. H/cc-forms/agdastmt.doc COPIES TO: ITEM NO. COYOTE WARNING Coyotes have been seen around this area. They are a natural part of this region's environment. Coyotes are wary of people and generally go to extremes to avoid contact. To avoid problems, keep pets on a leash and within your sight. Do not let small children wander out of sight. Hiking in a group is always safe. Sing, whistle or talk as you hike. These sounds will alert a coyote of your presence and give it ample opportunity to avoid you. Should you come into contact with a coyote, follow these suggestions: Do not approach the coyote. [] Do not mn from the coyote. [] Face the coyote, wave your arms slowly and speak in a loud voice. [] Do not crouch down or bend over. Do all you can to appear larger. Back away slowly, giving the coyote an opportunity to escape. Maintain eye contact with the coyote at all times. [] Fight back if attacked. ATTACHMENT 1 Protect Children Although rare, coyote attacks have seriously injured young children. Never leave small children unattended in areas known to be frequented by coyotes, even in your yard. Protect Pets a nd Livestock Keep small pets, such as cats, rabbits and small (logs, indoors. Don't allow them to run free at any time~ They are easy, favored prey. Some coyotes seek cats n residential areas. Large dogs slnould be brought inside after dark, and never be allowed to run loose. Rabbit hutches Should have a solid bottom. A hutch standing above grouno, with only a wire bottom, makes your rabbit an easy mark. Wlnen building a chicken coo.o, dig a one-foot trench around its ~)erimeter. Extend tl~e chicken wire fence well into the trench, then bury t Use Negative Reinforcement If coyotes begin frequenting your neighborhood, let them know they're not welcome. Make loud noises, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden iqose For everyone's safety, it is essential that coyotes retain their natural wariness of humans. If coyote problems .oersist, contact your local city government or county agricultural commissioner for assistance. ATTACHMENT 2 Report Threats and Attacks Immediately If you see a coyote behaving aggressively' or attacking people, contact the nearest office of the California Department of Fish and Game during regular business hours: Mon- daythrough Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.rn If an encounter or at[acK occurs after bus ness hours, call the Departmen[ of Fish and Game's 24-hour dispatch center at 1916) 445-004-5. The Department will lake appropriate action. California Department of Fish & Game Offices Northern California (5301225-2300 Sacramento Valley/Central Sierra Nevada 1916l 358-2900 Cen[ra~ Coast 1707) 944-55()0 San Joaquin Valley/Soutnern Sierra Nevada ~209) 222 3761 Souttaern California 310) 590-5132 Eastern Sierra (619)872-1171 Living With California Coyotes California Department of Fish & Game 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, California 95814 Coyotes in California Observing wild animals iS one of the many benefits .of Iv ng ~nor near wildlife habital: ~he experien:ce: C~n' t'Om :: unpleasant or Wen d~nclerOOs, however, when well-meaning people feed w Idlife. When fed by peeP e coyotes bbcome unnaturally bold and the result is 'cOnflict between coyotes and people, which too often ends in serious harm, or' even death, to people or the coyotes. The coyote (Canis latrans~, of the do~ famiiy, lis native t~~, Closely resembl~s'a small Ger~ shePl~e~rd dog with the eXCep long sn0ul~ arid bOshy, black-ti The coyote's high:pitched, yoc /apping can frequently be heard at night. Coyotes are extremel can survive They hunt rabbits, mice, birds small animals, as Well as young deer and sheep. They will also feed on the carcasses of deac~ anim~ S and will accept i'hand-©uts" fr~m Pe°Pl~ in the form of table ~(:raps, pet food and garbage. Coyotes are found throughout California, from desert and mountain habitats to urban ~eaS' Problems o~cur when peep e begin ibdiag coyotes; e~he~ delib~Gat~ Y or iadv~-ten~ly. C~yoies Will quickly'lose their at~ral fear oi~ p~oPle' and I~ecordn~ boid, yen' aggressiVe. Pets are often attacked, injured .or killed by coyotes n a few tragic ~es,' coyOtes ha~/e ail?cked small children, Causihg ~eriOUs njurieS and death. Help Keep Coyotes Wild We can reduce conflicts with coyotes by ensurirlg that they remair~ cauuous Of humans Practice these safety guldehnc~ and encourage .yo~r r~eighbors rd do ~ne s~m~. Never Feed a Coyote Deliberately feeding coyotes outs y()u, your pets and yot~r r~eiut'~b(')rs al risk ~omo communities I]ave ordinances thai dan feeding of coyotes or other wildlife. You may be ~naclve~tently feeding coyotes by leaving der lood or garbage where they can get to ~L Feed pets indoors or promptly ~ernove outdoor dishes wi~en pets fi~is~ lhei~ ~r~ea~s Store bags of pet food indoors. Use trash (_ar~s wil:h lids that clamp shut. wr~ich will Dr-evenl sMiling if l-r'~e cans are tipped over. If you leave garbage outside, don't use trash bags as garbage containers; coyotes can easily rip them open and scatter- the contenls, eut trash cqntainers out tne morr~ir~g of the scheduled pick-up, rather than the nigtat before. Tffis will give the coyole ess lime to scavenge Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings to reduce protect vc cover for coyotes arid make lhe area less attractive to rodents. Coyotes and otf~er predatOr'S may be attracted to areas whele rodents are concentrated, suctq as wood and brush p les and seed storaqe areas.