LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Officials have trapped and killed seven coyotes in Laguna Woods after the animals reportedly killed several neighborhood dogs, reports L.A. Now. The coyotes became a problem in recent weeks, as residents in a senior living community reported that their dogs were being attacked while they were out for walks. Two women were injured trying to save their dogs from coyotes -- one was bit on the hand and the other dragged as a coyote ran with her dog in its mouth.
The Laguna Woods City Council recently OK'ed a permit for professionals to shoot and kill the coyotes. One of the seven coyotes killed was shot, and the other six were trapped and euthanized. According to L.A. Now:
It's standard industry practice to euthanize captured coyotes rather than relocate them, [Jim Beres of the Laguna Beach Police Department] said. Otherwise, the animals would just continue the dangerous behavior somewhere else. "It just relocates the problem to another community," Beres said. "They propagate so quickly -- they're not an endangered species by any means -- and once they've learned to come in contact with humans, that doesn't go away."