Protecting pets from coyotes is not that easy
Coquitlam NOW
Friday, August 24, 2007
Re: "Supervise your pets," letter to the editor, Friday, Aug. 17.
In response to this insulting letter, I am disgusted with M. Schooff.
Do you think for one minute that pet owners are that stupid when you write, "There are leashes available for pet cats and dogs so that they can enjoy some time outside without wandering off. Or making sure your property is adequately fenced will also do the trick"?
Are you aware that coyotes have yanked small dogs from their owners on a leash, as have eagles?
Are you aware that no matter how fenced your yard is they are able to climb, jump or scale same to nab a small pet off your porch with the owner weeding in her backyard?
Are you aware that with people and children standing in a townhouse complex with their dog talking that a coyote was brave enough to walk right in amongst them and take a small dog?
I do agree that having outdoor cats is a choice and risk the owners take, and they are a plentiful food source for coyotes.
I happen to be a very responsible, professional dog walker and pet owner who is well educated on the hazards of, to quote you, "diseases, predators and accidents, all of which cost in the end," as are my clients.
Two weeks ago, amongst joggers, with other dogs and myself just a few feet away in a very public place, a lone coyote quickly slipped out from behind some bush and nabbed my precious dog, who was very well supervised.
The pain and suffering of watching your pet being carried away in the mouth of a coyote is an image you can never get out of your head.
So, let's not blame the owners, whom you are calling irresponsible.
The coyotes have become part of the urban environment and are lurking everywhere.
Many people see them in the daytime in parks and public streets as they have no fear.
I don't blame the coyotes as they are just trying to survive and do what is instinctively in their genetic make-up.
As with bears and other wildlife, coyotes have had their natural environment slowly robbed from them through residential, commercial and road development.
As well as being sad for my loss, I am sad for the wildlife.
Diane Young
Port Coquitlam
© Coquitlam Now 2007