City Council will take up fate of coyotes

To kill or not to kill.

That is the question the Colorado Springs City Council will take up Monday when it discusses a proposed ordinance that would allow gun-toting residents to shoot and "exterminate" coyotes.

The proposal was initiated by former Councilwoman Margaret Radford after a constituent approached her with concerns about aggressive coyotes and existing city laws that prevented him from using a firearm to kill the animals.

"Radford indicated that she and others believe that coyotes are a physical danger and potential public health threat," according to a city memo. "It is this concern that led to the
Colorado Springs Police Department being asked to investigate the proposed ordinance for coyote control."

A spokesman for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said the city of Colorado Springs doesn't have to be so trigger-happy.

"Certainly, there's a place for lethal measures, but people are too quick to pull the trigger," said Martin Mersereau, director of PETA's cruelty casework division.

"The only effective way to control wild animal populations is through humane, long-term exclusion measures, not reactionary killing, which isn't going to put a dent in the population," he said.

Mersereau said "exclusion measures" include building fences, keeping trash cans tightly closed and always keeping dogs and cats inside unless they're supervised.

"People wonder why their pets disappear," he said. "What do you think is going to happen when you put your Chihuahua in the backyard with a bowl full of food? That's not the coyotes fault. That's nature taking its course. You're going to bust out the gun because you're an idiot? That's where I stand."

The proposed ordinance would require anyone who wants to "exterminate coyotes" to first obtain a permit, which would be valid for a year.

Among the other requirements to shoot coyotes under the proposal:

• Shooters must wear an orange vest or jacket "with a light reflective section visible from the front and back."
• Firearms can't be discharged during daylight. In other words, the hunt has to be before 4 a.m. and after sunset.
• The "targeted" coyote can only be shot within 50 yards of the shooter.