Event In Lakewood To Explore Coyote, Deer Problem

LAKEWOOD, OH — One of the most discussed issues in Northeast Ohio is how to handle rising populations of deer, coyote, and other animals. The League of Women Voters (LWV) wants to explore possible solutions, and the nuances of the issue, during an event on July 17 at Lakewood Public Library, 15425 Detroit Ave.

"Wildlife in Northeast Ohio: Why can't we all just get along?" will feature three expert panelists who will attempt to examine both sides of dealing with wildlife in Greater Cleveland suburbs. The panelists include:

• Jonathon Cepek, wildlife ecologist, Cleveland Metroparks
• Lisa Petit, chief of resource management, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Harvey Webster, director of wildlife resources, Cleveland Museum of Natural History

"One side argues that we have to learn to live together and that deer and other animals have as much right to live in the suburbs as humans do," says Michael Barron, a spokesperson for the LWV. "The other side includes unhappy gardeners, people fearful for their dogs and cats, worried about lymes disease and other animal carried diseases. They believe in culling the herd."

The conversation on how to respond to possibly intrusive wildlife in the suburbs is particularly relevant in Lakewood. Coyote attacks on small animals in the suburb have residents on high-alert. Between January and March there were at least four attacks by coyotes on pets in Lakewood, the city said at the time. (Subscribe to the Patch Lakewood newsletter for local news and updates.)

In late March, the city said there were at least three alpha pairs of coyotes, and their respective groups, living in different parts of Lakewood. One pair lives in the Madison Park vicinity, another in the South West corner, and a third alpha pair in the Lakewood Park vicinity.

The July 17 event at Lakewood Library will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Registration for the event has not yet opened, but will be available at this link.

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