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…
51 responses so far ↓
1 DB // Jan 22, 2010 at 10:23 am
Why can't they relocate them ? These Coyotes look very healthy they just
happen to wander in the wrong areas. I think people are over reacting for sure.
So if a person is bad maybe we should kill them on the spot too!!
2 anyailles // Jan 22, 2010 at 11:02 am
Now all you jerks who complained about the coyotes being “too bold” can feel proud of yourselves. They will be killed.
These animals are lost. They deserve a ride back out into the country.
We pride our city for its wild spaces like Discovery Park. We pride our wild spaces for their ability to harbor and attract wildlife. Yet when these animals wander from the small confines we betray them. Disgusting.
3 leafdrop // Jan 22, 2010 at 11:10 am
Very sad they cant be relocated. They have not attacked a human so why cant they be trapped and relocated? Disapointing!!
4 impliedobserver // Jan 22, 2010 at 11:35 am
What can we do to try and stop this? Who can I call?
5 Coyote Joe // Jan 22, 2010 at 11:36 am
I can name a lot of packs of two legged animals that regularly endanger human life on a massive scale… but, oh wait, those can simply buy themselves a legislative indulgence in Congress. Too bad the Coyote Lobby isn't up and running.
6 seattleguy // Jan 22, 2010 at 11:48 am
Good work! Only one more to go.
7 Curious George // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:18 pm
They're using “leg traps” to snare the coyotes? Aren't these traps illegal because they are so inhumane?
8 Name // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Shame on the USDA and the City of Seattle for not preserving wildlife in our neighborhoods. Shame on the people who villified the Coyotes. Shame on the pet owners not responsible for keeping their animals on leashes who feel threatened. No humans were attacked.
9 Name // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Too bad they couldn't radio-collar and track them first to find out who's feeding them, whether intentionally or not. Unless and until that issue is addressed, the problem will continue to occur.
10 Jim // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Does the DFW not own a traquilizer gun. What is the rationale for killing the animal vs trapping/tranquilizing it and relocating it?
11 Sad // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Awful news. Can't believe this is happening.
12 maitaijim // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:38 pm
In my 35+ years in the Seattle/Tacoma area coyotes have been present. WTF are we doing shooting them? Maybe next we will start cutting down trees which take a lifetime to grow… oh wait…
The coyote is the trickster spirit, guess they tricked us humans into being dicks again.
Shame on us.
Humans = Fail
once again
13 WTF // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:46 pm
It's just plain sad, but, unfortunately, it's not so surprising with all the idiots freaking out about these animals.
14 Joe Hicker // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Call the Department of Fish and Wildlife Directors Office at (360) 902-2200 to stop this nonsense. Call the Mayors Office too at 684-2489.
15 jm // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Do the coyotes help keep the green belt rat population under control?
16 Outraged in Magnolia // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Stupid, pathetic humans. Killing instead of respecting. And as for the “attack” on the dog, how come no one places the responsibility on the dog's owner for not having it on a leash!?!
17 Herbisara // Jan 22, 2010 at 12:56 pm
'If they catch one, they’ll “humanely dispatch it,” Hebner says.'
Nothing humane about leg traps. This is truly awful. I am just sick reading this. It's our (humans) fault for encroaching on wild animals' territory, and now we're going to shoot them for doing what comes naturally? I am ashamed of the human race right now.
18 Bun13 // Jan 22, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I have never, ever wanted to see a coyote killed. If there was a way to relocate them, I think that would be the best option.
However, I have to say, that we all will complain and moan about the coyote being killed (because it is Seattle for goodness-sake), but then if the coyote was never killed and attacked a human or was killing more dogs, everyone would say “Why didn't they do anything?” It a continual cycle of pointing fingers. It is just like Hurricane Katrina… nothing was done to prevent a problem, and then everyone complained about it.
There should be a better way to handle this situation as opposed to killing the coyotes. The population is getting out of control and they now exist in 50 states. There are tons in L.A. and getting worse. So yes, it is unfortunate that one has been taken. BUT the true lesson here is to get this situaiton under control before more have to.
19 jonfredric // Jan 22, 2010 at 1:07 pm
ANYONE WANNA PROTEST THE KILLING OF THESE LOST CREATURES??
20 Bun13 // Jan 22, 2010 at 1:08 pm
http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=ja...
21 mazama // Jan 22, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Thanks for posting these Joe. I recommend everyone call the Mayor's office as I called the customer service rep I spoke to was not aware of the Seattle Police involvement in the search as reported in the Times. With McGinn's record on the environment, perhaps we can convince him to end this activity that is happening in the city he now governs.
22 greeny // Jan 22, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Moving a coyote would create CO2… shooting the coyote reduces CO2. Sometimes being green hurts.
23 Name // Jan 22, 2010 at 1:48 pm
GOOD QUESTION! So now fearmongers and public hysteria wins out. What does this say about our own aggression???
24 anyailles // Jan 22, 2010 at 2:24 pm
This Capt. Hebner person is “in charge” of this issue at DFW. Let him know how you feel:
Capt. Bill Hebner, (425) 775-1311, ext. 115
bill.hebner@dfw.wa.gov
http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=ja...
25 Name // Jan 22, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Unbelievable. Shouldn't we be gearing up for a massive raccoon hunt, too? They attacked more little dogs than the coyote(s). And I, for one, read that the dog was off-leash and probably went up to the coyote yapping and asking for it.
26 Penny // Jan 22, 2010 at 3:28 pm
I had to read this twice to believe it actually it happened. You had him trapped. Take him up north and relocate him in the wild. Unbelievable.
27 sp496761 // Jan 22, 2010 at 4:00 pm
This is sad. They had the coyote trapped. Take it one step further and transport him out of the area. Coyotes have been in Seattle as long as I have lived here (36 years). They take care of our rat, rabbit and other pest issues. When we kill off the predator, these populations will florish. Bad choice Seattle.
28 badoodie // Jan 22, 2010 at 4:05 pm
So let me get this straight. Stupid human allows her little dinner-sized dog run around off leash in the area where there have been numerous sightings. Coyote acts like a coyote and regards dog as potential dinner. Coyote gets killed. Stupid, stupid humans.
29 Drew // Jan 22, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Ohhhh, this makes me so sad. Why couldn't they be relocated if they had to be removed from the neighborhood? I'm sorry, but a single attack on an off-leash tiny dog (whose owner was breaking the law) doesn't justify killing the coyotes. There are better ways to go about this, Seattle.
30 megowilson // Jan 22, 2010 at 5:04 pm
This is an absolute outrage! Why wasn't this coyote relocated? It doesn't sound from the article as though it was much of a threat at all, all it stated was that it was seen around the neighborhood and attacked (not killed) a dog that should have been on a leash! This should have been handled better. I am utterly disgusted.
31 Name // Jan 22, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Right, I'm sure you actually care about the environment. You think they left the body where they killed it?
32 Name // Jan 22, 2010 at 6:35 pm
BOOOOO magnolia, BOOOOOOO.
yep, enough of you complained in terror about the aggressive beast and now it's dead.
i lived in arizona for a number of years and coyotes were very, very common. not once did i ever hear of an attack on humans.
really mad and disappointed. here's a big middle finger for magnolia and the dept of fish and wildlife. not cool.
33 WTF // Jan 22, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Idiot.
34 mrgoodbar // Jan 22, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Relocation isn't necessarily a good option. Previous attempts to move problem animals to a wilderness setting lead to a number of bad results, such as:
- the animals returning to the urban location;
- the animals becoming injured or killed in territorial disputes;
- the introduction of diseases such as canine distemper, mange and rabies into an otherwise healthy population;
- the inability of the animals to survive after sustaining themselves solely on urban food sources.
- the animals representing harmful behavior towards people even after relocation.
I think it's a small minority of people in Seattle that support killing the coyotes, but without a reasonable and cost effective means of insuring their long term success, relocation outside the city represents a real and inhumane risk to both people and the animals.
Good suggestions on coexisting with wildlife in urban areas can be found at
http://www.keepmewild.com .
35 jonfredric // Jan 22, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I just wrote a letter to this sick, sick man.
Your small child is millions of times more likely to get hurt by the family pet than by a coyote. Fact. It is extremely rare for these magical creatures to attack humans. They are smart hunters, they know damn well what they gonna be chompin' on.
Capt Hebner is a DISRESPECTFUL MAN, SEEDED IN SELFISHNESS
long live the spirit.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz_NvNLbeE0&feat...
ref:
http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/coyote_attacks.html
36 jonfredric // Jan 22, 2010 at 8:36 pm
cost effective?! did you just put a price on a coyote's soul? when there's problems kill ?
especially in our rich NW native backround, this is just sad.
Is it ok to : tranq, test for rabies, load in a truck far far away ?
–go back to eating your peanuts in chocolate–
37 mrgoodbar // Jan 22, 2010 at 9:03 pm
jonfredric, please read posts on this forum more carefully before you reply (this is the second time today you've misread someone's comments).
I do not advocate trapping and shooting this animal. That said, it is not OK , “tranq, test for rabies, load in a truck far away” [sic] for the other reasons noted above.
As for “putting a price on a coyote's soul”, I'll be happy to spend whatever money you have to save this animal's maladjusted life. If you think that the 40% chance it has of surviving in the wild after the first six weeks is a reasonable wager, then feel free to fork over whatever you would have otherwise spent on patchouli and dream catchers.
If there is a lesson for our community to take away so that this isn't repeated, it's to find ways to keep coyotes (and other wild animals) safely at arms length, yet within city limits.
38 SeattleRio // Jan 22, 2010 at 9:11 pm
I truly share everyones sentiments of shock and disappointment on how this was handled.
This is tragic that DFW had to kill one of the coyotes. Relocation for the aggressive male likely wouldn't been suitable based on the facts what mrgoodbar cited, however perhaps there may have been a wildlife rescue who could've taken the male coyote… Hard to say.
According to what the Times wrote, the male coyote got into someone's home doorway and attacked their dog which is the first time to my knowledge that this has been mentioned:
“Coyotes are common in Magnolia, but rarely pose a threat, but the state decided to trap this one after it attacked a dog in the doorway of a house inside Discovery Park, as the owner was taking it out for a walk, agents said. The dog owner smacked the coyote with an umbrella to get it away, agents said.”
Cited from: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews...
Possibly people leaving pet food out 24/7 or intentionally feeding them could have led to the demise of this dog, which is truly sad. If it is still the case then they are only setting up the female for the same fate. It would've been “idealistically” helpful if DFW or neighbourhood members could/had posted/passed out the following guidelines on how to avert and handle conflicts with coyotes: http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/coyotes.htm#problems
Education is the solution not termination.
39 jonfredric // Jan 22, 2010 at 9:19 pm
- this is not a forum
- i read all your posts
- i pay Seattle for services such as relocation of lost animals
- i understand relocation doesn't always work, but it is more palatable to the general public than euthanasia (i.e. me and everyone but you)
- a species chance of survival, particularly coyotes is way lower than 40% when put back when relocated.
I say let them perish on their accord if the Mother deems it so. Humans should not be the judge of life when there is no accident.
40 jonfredric // Jan 22, 2010 at 10:14 pm
does anyone know where this occured ?
41 SeattleRio // Jan 22, 2010 at 10:20 pm
According to the Times it was somewhere along the railroad property, but wasn't specific as to where.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews...
“A coyote that has been roaming Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood was trapped and killed early this morning on railroad property, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and BNSF Railway.”
42 leafdrop // Jan 22, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Recently, on a walk by the old Northwest harvest location I remember seeing makeshift cat houses. In the past I have seen cats with cat food and water laid out neatly in this area.On my walk yesterday there was no sign of life . It made me wonder if the Coyote took care of them too. I feel for animals,WE all deserve a chance to live but humans feel they can feed every living creature this affects there natural instincts and does not help anything. PLEASE STOP FEEDING WILD CREATURES. This makes animals depend on the food given. I too love seeing wild creatures doing what they do best( act wild). When I”m at a park I always see someone feeding city creatures thinking its cute . Its not anymore!!!
43 Per Johnson // Jan 23, 2010 at 12:30 am
Boy, I'm glad your coverage has saved so many lives from the dangers of a coyote or two (Note the extreme sarcasm). You stir all these worried readers up into a frenzy. THERE ARE COYOTES IN ALMOST EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD! You have a huge, beautiful park that provides perfect habitat for these animals. If you choose to live in a neighborhood with these habitats, then you choose to expose yourself to the potential that these animals will occur in the neighborhood. Get used to it or move to a condo in downtown.
44 SICKOFSTUPIDPEOPLE // Jan 23, 2010 at 12:39 am
Hey leafdrop, GO f*** YOURSELF!!!!!!!!
45 Name // Jan 23, 2010 at 10:39 am
wait, “if you see a coyote, you're asked to call 911″?????
jeez, magnolia, can you all make it through a night w/o screaming at the sight of your own shadow?
so PO'd at your community right now.
46 98199 // Jan 23, 2010 at 11:53 am
I'm from Magnolia and I think this news is dreadful.
We have a 534 acre park in our community. There are going to be wild animals in our neck of the ‘woods’.
Remember the Cougar…
slide 1 - Cougar found after roaming Seattle's Discovery Park
slide 10 - Couger being released in Snohomish County
(Q13 FOX News)
http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-090609-gallery-...
Remember the Bear….
Black bear reported near Discovery Park
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews...
http://www.magnoliavoice.com/2009/05/17/black-b...
Search for bear moves to Shoreline
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews...
“Wildlife agents said Tuesday they are hoping to help the bear get to where it needs to go, but since the animal is covering a lot of ground on its own, they think eventually he will find his way.”
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/45846337.html
In this day and age, it saddens me that the coyote could not have been humanely trapped and transferred to an environment more suitable for his natural existence. Personally, I don’t think the coyote deserved this ‘treatment’. If we can trap and relocate a Cougar with a Have-a-Heart cage then why not a Coyote.
Don’t treat animals cruelly.
47 namey // Jan 23, 2010 at 12:45 pm
the best idea i can think of is to DESTROY DISCOVERY PARK. its the only way to ensure that your poodles, children, and of course YOU will be safe. just thinking about you all living in peril near that place has me scared for you all.
low income housing, a prison or maybe several homeless shelters would clearly be safer than these wild animals terrorizing the community.
can’t have your cake and eat it too, magnolia.
48 Name // Jan 23, 2010 at 1:14 pm
unfortunately, enough of your neighbors made a stink about this creature and convinced The Enforcers that there was a serious threat to safety. pet safety got morphed into “threat to humans”.
i lived in arizona for years and can't ever recall an attack on humans.
49 abigailkat // Jan 23, 2010 at 11:42 pm
What a sad situation. All of you need to know that coyotes mate for life, which is more than I could say about a lot of my neighbors in Magnolia. They are also exclusive to one another. So the “smaller, probably female” coyote is probably the life-mate of the magnificent, larger, DEAD male. Way to go, geniuses at the so-called Wildlife protectorate people's union…
Plus, the woman whose bitty little dog was bitten by the coyote down near the playfield never had that dog on a leash, causing unnecessary harm to her dog, and a nail in the coyote's coffin.
As a youngster, way over on the back roads near the Tri-Cities, my family and I watched helplessly for many days as the male coyote sat in the two-lane road, mourning the death of his mate. Farmers put caution signs out, most folks knew, and my folks never did tell me what happened to the male as he refused the food and water left by farmers. (Yep, even farmers respected the sorrow and monogamy).
Yep, better develop these nasty woodsy areas so that evil creatures will not hurt your precious little doggy or kitty. My cats are indoors, although they have access to decks and rooftops for fresh air…
50 abigailkat // Jan 23, 2010 at 11:58 pm
Agree…people cope with the coyotes in Arizona all of the time…right in SunCity Grand!! They keep their dogs safely leashed, fenced etc.
Yes, I'm putting up the middle finger to all of the magnolia whiners and the erst-while Dept. Fish and Wild(dead)life…
51 EB1 // Jan 26, 2010 at 1:23 am
I sure hope all the people who appear to be in such shock and anguish over this situation are card carrying vegans.
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