Powell has lived in her home for 31 years and didn’t know until recently that there were coyotes in the area. Now she doesn’t feel comfortable leaving kids alone in the backyard and carries along a baseball bat, hockey stick and air horn.
But she remains nervous.
“I grew up here,” she said. “I played in my backyard. I want my grandkids to play in my backyard.”
Some coyotes aren’t afraid of people anymore, but it’s not their fault, Powell said — it’s the residents. Coyotes come into the neighborhood for food, pets and leftovers. Even garbage attracts coyotes.
Police Chief Ken Small declared the coyote problem a public safety issue during a City Council study session on Feb. 16. The Huntington Beach Police Department, state Department of Fish and Game and Orange County Animal Control came together to discuss the issue with the council.
Fish and Game Lt. Kent Smirl recommended that the city implement a two-part strategy of educating residents and eliminating coyotes that have lost their fear of humans.
Residents can help stop coyotes coming into their neighborhoods by cutting off food and water sources. Among the department’s recommendations: Never leave food outside, including pet food and bird seed; secure garbage containers; trim shrubbery; keep pets indoors; and walk dogs on leashes no longer than 6 feet.
Police are meeting soon to discuss the educational aspects of the plan, which will probably include a community presentation, mailings and hand-delivered materials, Small said.
