Coyote population worries Grosse Ile

The Detroit News ^

[Moleman]

GROSSE ILE -- The growing population of coyotes in southern Michigan worries Grosse Ile residents, but local officials are trying to reassure them that the canines don't pose an overall problem.

Township Police Chief Bill Barron said about 20-25 coyotes roam the island, adding that is a high number. There have not been any attacks on humans, and the police department has no plans to set traps or shoot the coyotes.

But the coyotes' presence is still unsettling to some residents. Last fall, a coyote killed Andrea Marshall's dog, Oscar. The 16-pound Yorkie was on a rope on the deck of the family's home.

Marshall, who has a 3-year-old daughter, is concerned for her child's safety since packs of coyotes are roaming around. She won't let the toddler play outside.

"They say coyotes don't just go up to kids, but you never know. They are wild animals. I want the township to trap them and get rid of them," Marshall said.

Coyotes, which are naturally afraid of people, exist in virtually every county in Michigan. The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) doesn't track the coyote population, but it has noticed high numbers surfacing in urban areas like southeastern Michigan.

"We're getting a lot more calls on seeing coyotes," said Tim Payne of the DNR. "They're asking should we be concerned for the safety of kids. We tell them no, but they need to use common sense. We want to keep coyotes afraid of people and keep them wild."

Payne said if people feed coyotes and get them accustomed to humans the animals will lose their natural fear of people. The DNR has no documented cases of coyote attacks on people and does not exercise population control over the animals.

Coyotes eat rabbits, mice and small mammals. They are larger than foxes but smaller than wolves. Their intuition is territorial, which may explain the assault on the Marshall family's pet.

"I believe they are here to stay," Chief Barron said. "I think as time passes, people will adjust to their presence."

Sen. Bruce Patterson, R-Canton Township, sponsored a public meeting this week in Grosse Ile about coyotes, giving residents a chance to express their concerns.

Resident Arthur Koester said it's wrong to view coyotes as vicious animals.

"It's really something based on my experience that is more ignorance than real fear. If you know how to handle it ... your fear is diminished," Koester said.

You can reach Natalie Y. Moore at (313) 561-8146 or nmoore@detnews.com.

[Moleman]

Posted for comment. Hopfully something will be done about the coyotes. Little Oscar who was killed was nicknamed "Moleman"

[Tijeras_Slim]

We've talked before, but coyotes are only warned off when some of them are killed. They're very common here (New Mexico) but generally wary. I've also seen them where there is no hunting, and they're much more bold. If you think they won't attack a child, think again.

[Delphinium]

What about the wolves, Michigan needs wolves to balance nature,

[Core_Conservative]

How many of the residents of Grosse Isle are animal rights activists? Me thinks there are a few. Guess when they transplanted to canines there - they never thought - gee - maybe we should have a natural predator of them her too!

I have sympathy for the dog - but not for the owners (most are also anti gun)

[RipSawyer]

"If you think they won't attack a child, think again."


These animals are said to be moving into the Carolinas. Where can one go to get the truth about them? I would like to hear from someone who has lived where they are common.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Furthermore, don't believe that "mice, rabbits, etc..." bit. Yes, that is their diet, but they will, in packs go after much larger animals. A friend had a pack try to corner his Black Lab, and only his arrival with a gun ran them off.

[netmilsmom]

I'm so sorry.
Please feel free to ship all those pests to Utica in Macomb county. We don't have a dog but do have a huge band of furry tailed rodents that have taken over our yard. Last year the fleas were so bad from these buggers that our indoor cats were infested. I guess we carry the eggs in on our shoes (per the vet). My five year old was eaten and it took us until February to get rid of them.

[mlmr]

We have coyote packs here and in the middle of the summer I don't dare let my children camp outside. I live on 30 acres and regularly hear the pack run and take down a deer by our stream. They have also killed all the other aminals in the area, no racoons, no skunks, partridge, pheasant, quail, bunnies, gophers, or other little animals. We lost them all in the past couple of years with the coyote packs. It is like an animal desert.

[Tijeras_Slim]

They're in all lower 48. Outdoor Life or Field and Stream ran an article about them encroaching on settled areas a couple years ago. They're not cuddly, they're fast, and can be very mean. Southwestern FReepers should be able to help.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Get large dogs, over 60 pounds. Coyotes in my area stay away from neighborhoods with several big dogs on them.

Guess they don't like getting their butts kicked.

[VMI70]

Chief Barron said. "I think as time passes, people will adjust to their presence."

Oh, I get it, Chief. We humans have to adjust to THEIR presence. That seems out of whack to me.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Sevin dust, liberally applied over the yard and directly to your cats and dogs should kill the fleas.

[Tijeras_Slim]

http://www.igorilla.com/gorilla/animal/coyote_attacks_3yearold_boy.html

URL for article on coyote attacking a 3 year old in Cape Cod.

[blackdog]

Take it from me, a commercial lamb producer. Coyotes are viscious and clever. If anyone wants to get into the mind of a coyote, I suggest you read the book "Today I baled some hay to feed the sheep the coyotes eat".

That said, when properly respected and planned for, coyotes are a non issue. Their reputation is founded by open range environment. Where I live it's common for Eagles, Owl's and Hawks to kill small dogs, cats, lambs, sheep, calves, and such.

The cure is rabbits. If you can keep a healthy surplus of cute bunnies around, the coyotes won't make their presence known other than nightime song. Car-struck deer are a staple as well. A dip in both and you will see Wile-Coyote sizing up your cat, Yorkie, chickens, etc....

[Destructor]

Sounds like Michigan hasn't experienced a large scale outbreak of rabies among the Coyotes yet.

[Moleman]

Hey Slim, hope all is well.
Yes, I may need to start popping the pestes with a high powered pellet gun. I need to check with the township however to see if it's OK. I know there is an ordinace against firing firearms in the township -probably for good reason.

[70times7]

Seems to me the thing to do is ship 'em all to Arizona then by stock in ACME. Could be a winner!

[netmilsmom]

Ohio vacinated the Raccoons and Michigan did not get rabies because of it. I swear, I saw it on Fox 8 in Cleveland then heard it reported by Channel 4 in Detroit.

[Moleman]

What about the wolves, Michigan needs wolves to balance nature
Actually our State Senator Bruce Patterson (R)suggeted this at the meeting Monday- in jest of course. Senator Patterson asked some pretty good questions to the DNR who tend to want to play down any threat.

[blackdog]

Great Pyrenese Guardian Dog for me. They will kill bears, wolves, coyotes, policemen, UPS drivers, meter readers, or anything else that walks onto my farm unescourted.

Once bonded with their assigned flock as a puppy(raised with the sheep) they will greet any intruder from the blind side in a flanking tactic and once engaged, hang on until something dies.