This issue is personal to me because it's affecting several members of my community in Santa Monica, particularly north of Ocean Dr, between San Vicente Blvd and Montana Ave. This is an heavily populated area where many residents walk with dogs and or small children and we shouldn't have to constantly worry about encountering or defending ourselves against wild coyotes. I believe many of my neighbors would echo this sentiment. Our peaceful neighborhood has seen an increase in coyote sightings and, alarmingly, several attacks in broad daylight that have resulted in injuries or fatalities to our beloved pets.

Coyotes are a natural part of California's ecosystem, but their frequent presence in our residential areas poses a significant danger. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, coyotes typically avoid humans; however, their boldness in our community indicates that the balance has been disrupted. Reports suggest that several dogs have already suffered due to these encounters, and it's only a matter of time before a more severe incident occurs.

We urge Santa Monica animal control to actively manage the coyote population that has encroached into residential zones. Implementing measures such as trapping and relocating or, if necessary, humanely euthanizing problematic coyotes will help restore safety to our neighborhoods. Furthermore, we call for increased community awareness and education on coexisting with wildlife to prevent future conflicts.

By signing this petition, we are asking the authorities responsible for wildlife management in Santa Monica to step up and address this growing issue before more pets are harmed or, worse yet, a person is attacked. Our community deserves to feel safe and secure in its streets and parks. Join us in calling for immediate action to protect our families and our pets from the coyote threat.