Coyotes in Seola Beach: New sighting; semi-followup

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two weeks after our first report about a federal coyote hunter dispatched to Seola Beach in southwest West Seattle after two dog deaths, no official update yet on the U.S. Wildlife Services‘ “fact-finding mission” (as a regional manager described it) there – we just checked back and learned all the local managers are out of state this week. However, we did get a coyote-sighting report from that same area this morning, sent by Jamie:

My husband came across coyotes in mid-hunt early this morning, about 5 am, while walking out of our house and to his car. He saw them snatch a small animal; he was pretty sure it was a cat.

We live right at the top of the Seola Beach ravine/greenbelt at 35th and 108th. The exact spot when the coyotes confronted the woman and her dog last fall. Thought I would report it in case anyone in the area misses their cat today…

It’s been a busy day for lost-and-found pet reports, but we haven’t heard anything from that area. Meantime, the state’s Living With Wildlife – Coyotes informational page includes info on what other animals coyotes eat – and important advice on what to do if you see one (in short: scare it away).

Further Questions July 9, 2012 (3:51 pm)

Odd that public servant “local managers” all happen to be out of state (not exactly “local”) at the same time during a non holiday workweek. Sounds like abuse of tax dollars to me.

WSB July 9, 2012 (4:00 pm)

They also handle Alaska, and that’s where they are, per their receptionist.

Shorewood resident July 9, 2012 (9:08 pm)

I live next to Seola Beach Drive in the great neighborhood of Shorewood. I am absolutely in favor of killing these coyotes. They do not belong in an urban environment and are a menace to beloved pets. Let’s not wait until they start attacking people.

Woodsman July 9, 2012 (9:43 pm)

Great pet owners. Hey let’s let the cat out and take a chance to see if it can make it. Knowing that there are coyotes out there. Train the coyotes to go to the drivethru at Mickey D’s.

Mike July 9, 2012 (10:10 pm)

Pet owner lets cat roam in urban setting and is worried about coyotes… hmmmm, I’ve seen 4 dead cats on the Admiral Way hill squashed by vehicles and yet to even see a Coyote. I’m pretty sure the Seola Beach area has more vehicles running over pets too.

Ellas July 10, 2012 (8:28 am)

Pretty sure it was a cat? Why do coyotes have to be killed because pets are getting killed? Doesn’t anyone get what is happening here? We humans encroach on every square inch of land we can then complain other animals are encroaching on our space. That is the reason the coyotes are in an urban setting, along with deer and other wildlife – where else do they have to go? It is okay for humans to kill more animals than any other animal on this planet but god forbid a coyote kills anything to survive. To Shorewood resident: they aren’t going to attack people, but in your case it would be a nice exception. Beloved pets huh? How many animals to you eat in a week? Why are humans the only animal that should have a right to live? Let nature be, respect it and respect your pets by keeping them inside.

cr July 10, 2012 (2:56 pm)

Ellas, I am pretty sure you are using some form of electronic device to post this. I’m assuming this didn’t get posted by smoke signals. So, in the making of your iPad or whatever else it is, YOU encroached on an animals life. The product was made in a factory that was built on land that was at some point inhabited by animals. I am also assuming you do not live in the jungle in a tree, or some form of hut. Again, YOU encroached on an animals life. Stop trolling, kill the coyotes and save the pets.

Ex-Westwood Resident July 10, 2012 (3:21 pm)

…important advice on what to do if you see one (in short: scare it away)….
That will only work with animals that still have their fear of humans. The aggressive coyotes that are in the Seola Beach/Arbor Heights/Shorewood area HAVE LOST THEIR FEAR OF HUMANS. It won’t work and they will just ignore you.
Well Ellas the coyotes have attacked dogs on leashes being walked by their owners. They have attacked dogs in peoples fenced backyards. Just wondering if you are a pet owner and if you are, do you walk your dog or have you trained your dog/cat to use a human toilet?
This is an URBAN environment. It is not the wilderness, no matter how many trees we have around.
Here are some questions everyone needs to ask themselves in this matter…
If it was a German Shepard that was attacking and killing other peoples pets, would you be demanding that it be caught and put down or would you be saying that that we need to keep our pets indoors?
Do we wait till a child/adult is attacked by these aggressive coyotes (it’s a matter of when, not if) before we do anything or do try to prevent it from happening.
I love the wilderness, and all the animals that live there, but I don’t live there, I live in an urban area that should be safe from wild animals.

NemoBeanBean July 10, 2012 (8:50 pm)

Again I say keep your cats indoors and when out walking your dog carry bear repellant or pepper spray. They’re here and we have to deal with it.

Ex-Westwood Resident July 10, 2012 (10:09 pm)

Nemo,

Ever since I saw a coyote attack a pet on a leash, I carry when I walk my dog. Not something that will just make them angry like pepper spray or bear repellant (will that even work on coyotes???), but something that will be more permanent!!!

NemoBeanBean July 11, 2012 (7:23 pm)

Ex Westwood,
I’m pretty sure pepper spray/bear repellant would work well enough to give you time to get you & your dog out of there, it seems to work good enough for the Police and on “muggers/assailants”.
Not all of us “carry” or would want to.

Sorry, comment time is over.