Newspaper Clipping - Newspaper Clipping Scan - Coyotes blamed in pet attacks continued - 12/14/2004 Police Chief Kent Therkelsen
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Because the DNR does not
track or control the coyote popu-
lation,local police take the lead
on handling the problem.Eagan
police say they're deliberating
over whether it's necessary to
Coyotes trap the coyotes. But they ask
that residents use caution:Keep
dogs leashed on walks and in
blamed In plain view. Don't leave pet food
outside. Scare off coyotes by
attacks shouting or making loud noises.
Police Chief Kent Therkelsen
urged consideration for the
(continued) coyotes."Coyotes don't have Dis-
ney movies made about them,
Police and trappers speculate but there has to be some sensi-
that the rise of new subdivisions tivity to where urban wildlife
could be disturbing coyote dens, and civilizations meet," he said.
that warmer winters have "We can't wildlife-proof Eagan."
encouraged the animals'survival Jess Carsello's golden
and that there are simply more retriever,Jack,was mauled and
people around to spot them. partially scalped in the woods
But the number of recent by an unseen animal on Sept. 7
attacks on Eagan pets sounded when he went to chase a toy.
"a little higher than usual,"said "I understand it's a part of
Bryan Lueth, a DNR urban Mother Nature," said Carsello,
wildlife specialist. The agency an outdoors enthusiast. "And
knows of no coyote attacks on quite honestly, did we use good
humans in Minnesota. judgment when we threw a ball
On Dec. 6, Kirby, a wheaten into the woods at 4:30 in the
terrier, was bitten in the but- morning or whenever it was?
tocks after his owner left him off It's their teeritory."
his leash in Blackhawk Park, Coyotes in some parts are
according to police records and losing their fear of people, said
photos. Another dog walker the DNB's Lueth.
informed Kirby's owner that he Because coyotes are cun-
had seen two coyotes where the ning, live-trapping them with a
dog had roamed. cage is nearly impossible, said
Last year, coyotes were sus- professional trapper Jim Mar-
pected in at least two reported shall of Eagan,better known as
casualties in Eagan—a cat and Trapper Jim the Critter Gitter.
an old, overweight beagle Apple Valley police hired Mar-
named Lucy — in a neighbor- shall a couple years 'ago to rid
hood near Caponi Art,,Park. the city of about 15 coyotes. He
Lucy's owner, Cathy Caflisch, said he caught them live using
said she heard Lucy's yelps and rubber footholds and then
saw a coyote about the size of a released them onto a private
German shepherd flee into_the wilderness.
woods. Two hours later, the "Is it effective? I would say
family found the dog with her yes,"Marshall said."Is it effec-
neck snapped in a corner of tive long-term? I would have to
their backyard. say the jury is still out on that."