Corona del Mar Today: ‘Amazing Grace’ plays for lost pets as talk turns to coyotes

A little Chiweenie — a dachshund-Chihuahua mix — called Beanie, who was the mascot of the Studio Cycle spin business on East Coast Highway, was remembered Tuesday night at a candlelight vigil.

The event honored local pets killed in recent coyote attacks.

“Beanie was our mascot,” said Alli Suter, a studio instructor and Beanie’s owner. “She was a symbol of community and love. She brought a lot of people together.”

More than 100 people attended the vigil, which was held in the 500 block of Poinsettia Avenue next to a magnolia tree at the spot where the dog was grabbed on July 13.

Suter said she was leaving her friend’s home when the coyote appeared, as if it had been waiting. It then grabbed the small dog and was gone within seconds, she said.

A crowd began to gather about 8 p.m. Tuesday, leaving drawings, candles and notes for Beanie by the tree, which was surrounded by pink rose petals.

In attendance were Newport Beach Animal Control Officer Mike Teague, who responded to the call about Beanie, Deputy Police Chief David McGill and City Councilman Kevin Muldoon.

As people stood with candles, some with dogs in their arms or at their sides, they called out questions to the police representatives.

Some said at least a half dozen dogs had been attacked in the last week, while others claimed the number was more than 10.

Teague said residents must be aware of the coyote danger, in part because trapping and relocating the animals wouldn’t be a permanent solution.

Studies, he has said, show that coyotes will return in greater numbers.

“We have to be proactive,” Teague said. “It’s going to take an effort.”

Hazing the animals, he said, was the Humane Society-approved way to scare them away. Hazing involves yelling at the animals, spraying them with hoses, blowing whistles and chasing them. People are advised to change their routines and hazing strategies to avoid letting the coyotes become accustomed to them.

Coyotes, he said, are nocturnal and hunt during the day, often roaming eight miles from their dens.

“When they are hungry, they come out,” he said. “They’ll adjust to whatever your patterns are.”

Some residents said they have been startled by coyotes that came up behind them suddenly, and noted that the animals didn’t seem to frighten easily.

Others said they had lived in Corona del Mar for decades and never seen so many attacks.

McGill said he was going to begin working immediately on ways to help educate residents and improve animal control officers’ responses to the coyote problem in Corona del Mar.

Volunteers could pass out information fliers, he said, and a tip number could be set up for residents to report coyote sightings and attacks. More night patrols also could be added, he said.

“I get it,” he said. “I know you’re frightened. We’re going to go about it the right way. We’ll be methodical. But we have critters out here that hunt. If you don’t have dogs on a leash, they could get hurt. You have to meet us halfway.”

Cats, the officers said, should be kept inside.

After about 30 minutes of discussion, the vigil turned again to memorializing lost pets. “Amazing Grace” was played, and afterwords, residents hugged. Some stayed to talk to police.

Another Corona del Mar resident, Shannon Aikman, was passing out information on how to order coyote alert flags, which could be placed at the location of coyote sightings or attacks. Her dog had been recently attacked and was still recovering, she said.

Muldoon said a friend in the neighborhood, who had lost a pet cat, invited him.

“It’s great to see the community cares so much and is so involved,” he said.

Corona del Mar Today appears Sundays in the Daily Pilot. Read daily updates at coronadelmartoday.com.