Arcadia OK's Coyote Culling During Feb. 21 City Council Meeting

ARCADIA, CA — On Tuesday, the city of Arcadia agreed to approve $15,000 to trap and euthanize coyotes after listening to residents speak on the issue both for and against. Project Coyote led the charge for hundreds of residents who spoke on the need to coexist with the creatures, from the scientific to the heartfelt. After consideration and discussion, the council went ahead with its vote.

The decision for culling the coyotes was 4-1, with Mayor Tom Beck the only dissenting vote. Funds toward the process will be allotted to control the coyote population, which residents claim has become a nuisance and danger to area families and pets.

According to Arcadia City Council Member April Verlato, people across Arcadia have reported numerous coyote encounters to the council.

"To me, there is a problem," she said. "These are very aggressive coyotes who see our pets as a food source. Which do we choose? Our pets or the coyotes?"

For Verlato, the choice was clear.

"I was concerned with the trapping and euthanizing to be inhumane, but after reading an email from a resident, to me, it doesn't sound inhumane," Verlato said. "I was disappointed with the Pasadena Humane Society, and one of the services they are supposed to provide is addressing the coyote problem. We do pay them money to help us with coyote management and I think they have failed us."

According to Verlato, the Pasadena Humane Society has not done enough to educate the public about the coyote problem.

Council Member Sho Tay said that coyotes will go from dog food to small pets.

"We did the hazing whistle, the first time it worked, the second time it didn't work," Tay said.

An unanimous vote for the coyote- culling plan took place earlier in February, when residents asked for action after recounting stories of pets being attacked or stalked by coyotes.

The move to cull — or trap and euthanize — the coyotes were not looked upon favorably by animal rights groups who made an appearance at the Arcadia City Council meeting on Tuesday, including Project Coyote.

"Coexistence requires public education," Randi Feilich of Project Coyote said.

Education is important, but thinning the herd is also imperative, City Council member and Mayor Pro Tem Peter Amundson said.

"Hopefully if we do (the culling) right, we won't ever have to do it again," Amundson said.

Pixabay photo