Mailbag: Being responsible is best way to keep coyotes away

I find the perspectives of some Newport Beach residents who want coyotes killed on sight to be ignorant (“Coyotes: ‘If it comes in my yard, I will shoot it,’” Nov. 6).

I live in Rolling Hills Estates, where coyotes have killed many pets. As a result, our community has consulted wildlife experts about how to address the problem. They agree that the measures proposed for Newport Beach (keeping pets and pet food indoors, removing fallen fruit and keeping garbage cans closed tightly) are the best means of encouraging coyotes to stay away.

Southern California is full of coyotes. If every misguided individual were to shoot coyotes on sight (and that was not a crime), more coyotes would simply move into the neighborhood.

We must all take responsibility for the safety of our pets. We have goats; when we are not outdoors with them, they enjoy a large coyote-proof pen by day and a nice barn (with closed doors) by night.

We figure it is a small price to pay for taking the coyotes’ homeland away from them.

Linda J. Retz

Rolling Hills Estates

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Coyote problem seems to be getting worse

Many people I know in the San Fernando Valley have lost their pets to coyotes.

I have spent upward of $10,000 securing my yard with high fencing and more, but still I see the same coyote peeking in my yard trying to get to my two small dogs. I am completely unnerved by them, even though I know they can’t get into my yard.

I am also on watch when I walk. I carry pepper spray and a whistle, but the coyotes are getting more brazen and numerous.

As one person states in the article, if we were talking about a wild cat or another animal, it would be rounded up and either killed or removed. The coyote population appears to be expanding rapidly, so something must be done.

Susan Lemberger

Tarzana