USING CITY FUNDS TO KILL WILDLIFE 

On January 12, 2016, the Laguna Beach City Council voted and approved (4-1) allocation of at least $30,000.00 of taxpayer money toward year-round coyote trapping and killing, believing this will result in safer conditions for small pets.

It will not.

No matter how many coyotes are exterminated, more will move into the vacant territory - it will never be safe to leave small pets outdoors or walk small pets without taking precautions.  

 

 

VIOLATING STATE LAW

To date, the City of Laguna Beach maintains the contractor employed to trap and kill the coyotes is within the law, setting traps within 150 yards of homes without those homeowners' written consent. 

This is a violation of the California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 465.5 (g)(3), which requires the trapper receive written consent of neighboring homeowners before setting a trap.

Laguna Beach steps up effort to trap, kill coyotes despite animal advocates' claims that city is violating state law

 

RISK TO OTHER ANIMALS AND PETS

Trapping is indiscriminate. Pets and other wild animals, such as bobcats and fox have been snared and strangled in traps meant for coyotes.

Coyote snare traps called inhumane, L.A. councilman wants to ban them​

Video of an animal control officer attempting to release a coyote from a snare  

 

COYOTES ARE GASSED - BARBARIC AND INHUMANE 

Critter Busters uses a 'mobile gas chamber' to kill captured coyotes using CO2, claiming it is humane and an 'approved' method for killing.

Approved for small animals, the use of carbon dioxide on large animals can cause pain and suffering.

Seal Beach Councilman Mike Levitt regretted approving the contract with Critter Busters when he realized the animals suffered, "I found out [afterward] that the animal does not go to sleep. There are spasms. They choke."

In 2013, the American Veterinary Medical Association changed their approval of CO2 gas to 'acceptable with conditions'. The European Food Safety Authority and the World Society for the Protection of Animals consider CO2 an unacceptable method for euthanasia.

Seal Beach Decides Its Coyote-Killing Mobile Gas Chambers Are Kinda Creepy​

The Gas Chamber Debate​

Not Acceptable  

 

THERE IS A BETTER WAY 

Attempts to reduce the coyote population in Laguna Beach will be short-lived as coyotes from the surrounding area will move into the habitat. When they are exterminated, new ones will move in. 

So, the answer is not to try to control coyote populations, but to manage the habitat - the neighborhoods, to make them less attractive, less hospitable.

The long-term answer is for residents to learn how to live safely and respectfully with neighboring wildlife.

We propose the City of Laguna Beach adopt a Coyote Management Plan similar to the one adopted by the City of Calabasas, where lethal control is used only when a human is threatened or injured by a coyote.

Coyote Management Plan

Year-round coyote trapping and killing is not the answer!