Resident wants coyotes out

Deepa Bharath

The howl of a coyote sounds a lot more eerie to Claire Friend than it

did a month ago.

The Park Newport resident, whose home is at the edge of the Back

Bay, almost lost her cat Simon to a coyote. Simon survived thanks to

a neighbor who threw a shoe at the coyote, chasing the animal away.

The incident has left Friend concerned not only for her pet, but

her neighbors’ pets and children, she said.

“The city needs to get rid of the coyotes,” she said. “They need

to do it in the interest of public safety.”

City animal control officials say they can’t harm the coyotes

because they’re part of the Back Bay Ecological Preserve.

“The Back Bay is one of the last habitats these coyotes have

left,” said Newport Beach Animal Control Officer Jamye Rogers. “These

residents are living near a wilderness area, and they should be aware

of that.”

Coyotes have historically been seen in almost all parts of Newport

Beach, officials have said. Back Bay residents, in particular, have

constantly struggled with the issue.

“This is not the wilderness,” Friend said. “It’s a residential

area. It’s Newport Beach.”

It is unreasonable to ask pet owners to keep their cats and dogs

inside all the time, Friend said.

“It’s just not possible to make them stay in 24/7,” she said.

“It’s ridiculous, and it’s not acceptable.”

Friend’s cat was “running loose in a greenbelt area,” Rogers said.

“It’s just nature,” she said. “Why would a coyote go chasing after

a rabbit when they can easily pick up a little cat or dog that’s let

loose?”

Friend’s neighbors in the Park Newport complex said they are

concerned, too, after the recent coyote attack.

“My husband has seen coyotes right in front of our patio,” said

Charlene Tabor, who has lived in the complex for 20 years. “I’ve

never really been too afraid of them, but I don’t want them coming up

the porch. I must say I’m worried for my friends and neighbors with

pets.”

Victoria Behnke said she was horrified to hear about the attack on

Friend’s cat, but has never been too concerned about the coyotes in

the area.

“I’ve never seen any all these years,” she said. “They do mess up

the trash sometimes, but otherwise, it hasn’t been a problem yet.”

Coyotes are getting bolder and are not afraid of coming close to

people, Friend said.

“There’s absolutely no assurance that they won’t attack infants,

children or even adults,” she said. “This is clearly a danger to our

community.”