11: a.m. update: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials confirm that a 40 pound male coyote was trapped and killed this morning in Magnolia. “It’s unfortunate to have to take this action, but public safety is our first priority,” said Captain Bill Hebner, who heads WDFW’s enforcement program for the northern Puget Sound region. “We are confident this is the coyote that was approaching people in a dangerous manner and had attacked pets.”
The second coyote that has been seen wandering around Magnolia is believed to be a female. Hebner says the WDFW will continue to monitor her whereabouts by reports sent in by residents. The female may not pose safety risks now that the more aggressive male has been killed, the press release states.
9 a.m. update: Our news partners, The Seattle Times, is now reporting that one coyote has been killed. According to the paper, wildlife officials say the male coyote was caught in a leg trap and shot by a wildlife officer on private property early this morning. Officials are still trying to determine whether to trap and kill the second coyote that has been seen around the neighborhood.
Earlier: Officers from the Department of Fish and Wildlife along with Seattle Police are on the hunt to kill at least two coyotes in the Magnolia area, reports the Seattle Times. “We determined we have a human health and safety risk,” said DFW’s Bill Hebner, who says officers are working in the morning hours to find the coyotes. “If they can secure a safe shot and be 100 percent sure, they’ll take it.”
DFW and workers from the BNSF Railway are also setting traps for the coyotes. If they catch one, they’ll “humanely dispatch it,” Hebner says.
As we’ve been reporting since November, one or more coyotes have been spotted frequently around the neighborhood, and one coyote attacked a dog on January 11th. DFW says they’re worried the coyotes could get more aggressive, potentially attacking humans. If you see a coyote, you’re asked to call 911.
We’ll have more on this story soon…
