Post by Itrapny on Jun 7, 2007 9:11:09 GMT -5
Oswego (WSYR-TV) - They're on the prowl for food and they're only becoming bolder: the coyote packs that are popping up more and more in the City of Oswego.
They're especially a problem in the south west neighborhood of Kingsford Woods near the middle school.
Tom Roman has watched coyotes roam right down his street; one even ate the family cat. He says it's constricted where he allows his three little ones play.
“You certainly hesitate to let them get close to the woods because you don't know what's out there.”
Tom’s friend Bill Cahill lives several streets away; he's also spotted the animal, in broad daylight.
“I was driving up the road about 7:30 in the morning and right in the middle of the road looked to be an adult coyote.”
Animal Control Officer Wendy Johnson says, “Cat food, dog food, any kind of food outside, they'll even go for some kind of bird food or garbage so people in our city have to be aware leaving these kinds of things out are attracting wildlife in our area.”
For now, animal control says that's their plan: get that message out rather than try to control the coyotes.
But Richard Bateman says more drastic measures are in order. “I'd like to see some traps set and take them to another location if they could.”
Animal control says that's not the solution because they say even if you capture one pack, there are multiple packs and these animals are multiplying fast without any predators in the area.
If you do see a coyote, animal control says it's probably more scared of you than you are of it, making a loud noise should be enough to scare it away.
Oswego animal control is holding a public meeting about the issue next Wednesday, in conjunction with the DEC.
That meeting will be held at 7pm in the common council chambers of Oswego city hall. If you have any questions, contact animal control at 343-1803
They're especially a problem in the south west neighborhood of Kingsford Woods near the middle school.
Tom Roman has watched coyotes roam right down his street; one even ate the family cat. He says it's constricted where he allows his three little ones play.
“You certainly hesitate to let them get close to the woods because you don't know what's out there.”
Tom’s friend Bill Cahill lives several streets away; he's also spotted the animal, in broad daylight.
“I was driving up the road about 7:30 in the morning and right in the middle of the road looked to be an adult coyote.”
Animal Control Officer Wendy Johnson says, “Cat food, dog food, any kind of food outside, they'll even go for some kind of bird food or garbage so people in our city have to be aware leaving these kinds of things out are attracting wildlife in our area.”
For now, animal control says that's their plan: get that message out rather than try to control the coyotes.
But Richard Bateman says more drastic measures are in order. “I'd like to see some traps set and take them to another location if they could.”
Animal control says that's not the solution because they say even if you capture one pack, there are multiple packs and these animals are multiplying fast without any predators in the area.
If you do see a coyote, animal control says it's probably more scared of you than you are of it, making a loud noise should be enough to scare it away.
Oswego animal control is holding a public meeting about the issue next Wednesday, in conjunction with the DEC.
That meeting will be held at 7pm in the common council chambers of Oswego city hall. If you have any questions, contact animal control at 343-1803