Emotions Run High about Coyotes in New Castle

Tempers have been running high in New Castle—all due to the ubiquitous coyote and exacerbated by national media attention to a local conundrum.

Back in 2014, the New Castle Town Board wanted to look at the coyote issue in town. But it was clear from the get-go that people had very strong emotions and opinions, specially those who had pets attacked. So in September the board created two advisory committees.

The idea was that both would collaborate to provide residents and officials with a full range of information and perspectives on dealing with the presence of coyotes in the community, on ways to increase community awareness about coyotes and minimize the risk of coyote attacks on pets; but, Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein characterized it as one more about protecting pets while the other more about conservation.

By early February, both sides were on the warpath.

Friends of Animals, an international animal protection group, called for supporters to pack the Feb. 10 town board meeting at which both committees were to make presentations.

SEE ALSO:

• New Castle Creates 2 Coyote Committees
• FoA Seeks to Protect New York’s Coyotes From ‘Brutal Kill Plan’

Friends of Animals said they supported one of the committees, the New Castle Coyote Awareness & Safety Advisory Committee, because it was ”fighting for coyotes to be left alone in their communities.” FoA said that committee wanted to educate pet owners and home owners on how to live in harmony with coyotes who, as predators, serve a valuable function in keeping animals such as rodents in check.

The FoA contrasted that with what they had heard about the other committee, the Coyote Management Task Force.

“This misguided, hateful idea is in response to a handful of coyote attacks on small dogs and cats over the past couple of years—all of which could be easily prevented by educating pet owners and residents,” wrote Edita Birnkrant, Campaigns Director for Friends of Animals.

Things got so bad that the members of the Management Task Force refused to make their presentation in person at the board meeting.

Greenstein issued a statement before the meeting:

I would like to remind residents why the Town Board formed the advisory committees. Last year, we received reports from residents and our Police Department that coyote sightings and interactions were on the rise. Some residents reported having their pets taken by coyotes, and others expressed safety concerns abut their children and pets. Based on this feedback, I encouraged several residents to form an advisory committee to help the Town Board gather information about best practices for dealing with coyotes.

In attempting to form an advisory committee, it quickly became apparent that individuals would approach the task with very strong views about conservation and coexisting with wildlife. For that reason, the Town Board took the somewhat unconventional step of forming two advisory committees.

The resolutions forming both coyote committees recognized that coyote sightings have markedly increased in the Town, and our residents have reported having their dogs attacked and killed by coyotes. Starting with that premise, both committees were asked to study and make recommendations to the Town Board on ways to increase community awareness about coyotes and minimize the risk of coyote attacks on pets.

Both committees were asked to develop strategies and information relating to coyote hazing, conflict deterrents, behavior modification, what to do when sightings occur, and when trapping may be necessary.

Both committees worked incredibly hard, and I would like to thank the members for their time and effort. I anticipate that the Town Board will set aside time at a future work session to discuss the information and recommendations we receive from our advisory committees. After that step, we will adopt a plan – most likely with contributions from each committee. This wasn’t a competition and should not be viewed as such. The winners will be the residents of New Castle who will take comfort in the fact that their elected officials are looking out for the safety, the safety of their pets and quality of life.

At the meeting, Greenstein added, “the Town Board has become aware of inflammatory rhetoric being used on social media to advocate viewpoints on coyotes. For example, we have received emails and seen posts on social media condemning the Town’s “coyote killing plan”, its “coyote jihad”, and its “death map” for coyotes. This is very troubling and unacceptable.

“And it is especially unfortunate,” he concluded, “since I have been advised that both committees support the guidelines addressing coyote conflicts as set forth on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation web site.”

In the past two years there have been 160 sightings and at least 10 pets attacked, according to news reports digging into the story. And from the sound of the interviews, opinions are as strong as they were last fall.

PHOTO: Fios1News