Papago Vista Neighborhood Association

COYOTES IN THE MIDST

May 11, 2004

If you haven't already noticed, you've probably heard about the new resident coyote in the neighborhood. Since late April, it has been wandering between 37th and 39th Streets between Palm Lane and Oak. It may have been part of the pack living in the vacant land on the southwest corner of 40th and McDowell.

Well, you may say, who cares, it's just a coyote? If you own a small dog or a cat, they can become victim to the coyote as a tasty meal for a hungry predator. And yes, they can climb fences and get into your yard.

Logically, you would think to just call the local authorities. We tried that. We called Animal Control - "We pick up
dogs but not coyotes". Then the Police Department- "We don't do anything with coyotes unless they attack a person,
call Arizona Game and Fish". And guess what Game and Fish said- "We don't pick them up. They're a residential problem like mice. You can call a professional trapper". They gave us the names of local trappers.

All of this leads to what our Neighborhood Association thinks is an appropriate way to resolve coyotes or other varmints in the area (I'm referring to animals). We need to create a task force to assess how many coyotes or other less than desirable animals we may have wondering around our neighborhoods. If you have some information regarding the coyotes or would like to help chair up this task force please, call Alan Watt at 602-273-1560.