Wild coyotes in north Columbus have been named the culprit for some injured and missing pets in the area.
Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton told councilmen Tuesday during their regular meeting that residents near Holly Hills, Cady Hills and Bluecutt Road have been calling the department about missing pets and seeing wild coyotes roam neighborhoods.
These concerned calls prompted the city council to unanimously approve the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Department request to kill the coyotes in the city limits.
“There are wild coyotes out there attacking domestic animals,” Shelton said. “(MWFP is) concerned. They want to assist us by coming to take action and kill them and eradicate them for us. Traditional traps are not working, coyotes get in and get out. They want to come and help us eradicate these wild coyotes before they attack a human.”
Shelton said the CPD will work with the Wildlife and Fisheries Department in the coming weeks. For now, Shelton said he asks citizens to keep small pets indoors and not to disturb state officials trying to help the city.
“If someone sees one, we ask them not to approach them,” Shelton said. “We are working on the problem. If they do see the game and fisheries department, or (hear) shots fired, it’s OK. If they want to notify police that’s OK to notify us. They wear a green uniform in a green truck that has blue lights on it and it’ll say State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and they are authorized to shoot weapons.”
Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin, who represents many of the north Columbus neighborhoods affected, said he’s received several calls from citizens since spring.
“I’m aware of this problem,” Gavin said Tuesday. “There are a lot of coyotes running around in that area. Some people have called me and asked about shooting them themselves. I told them it’s against the law to (shoot a) firearm in the city limits. This looks like a solution to that.”
Shelton said, to his knowledge, Columbus has not had an issue like this in the past. Gavin, on the other hand, said he gets similar calls each spring.
“I know people are afraid to let the pets out,” Gavin said. “As those coyotes come more and more into the city they get a little bit braver. I think it’s time to move. It’s a good thing.”
With citizens asking to shoot the pests themselves, Gavin said he is glad the state department is coming in and taking action.
“I understand their needs and concerns, but all it takes is one child getting shot,” Gavin said. “It’s not worth it. I can’t support that. I can support the wildlife commission because they are licensed and trained and won’t do harm to citizens.”
Speaking to The Dispatch after the meeting, Shelton attributed the coyote problem to urban sprawl.
“With all the commercial buildings and homes, we are taking away their natural habitats,” Shelton said. “We are pushing them closer into the city. … Small cats and small dogs have come up missing. People have seen (coyotes) in the city. Generally they don’t attack people, but as they start infringing more, they’ll get closer to people and that was the concern.”
Though Allison Perrigin lives in Ward 3, a few miles east of Holly Hills and Cady Hills, she said her 5-year-old cat Fluffy narrowly survived a recent attack by two coyotes.
“He had a scratch from what could have been teeth with ants all over it,” Perrigin said. “I brought him inside, cleaned him up and noticed that there were more spots. One was opened up and you could see what the vet said was probably a muscle.”
Though Fluffy was lucky and will now remain an inside cat permanently, Perrigin said she’s worried with the coyotes in the city limits other pet-owners may not be as lucky.
“Someone’s pet could be attacked just like mine and they could lose them forever,” Perrigin said. “Luckily mine was able to hide under cars and survive. … I don’t have kids, so Fluffy is like my child. I would lose my mind if something happened to him.”
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