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Officials say coyote population not growing

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A coyote is seen just before being caught by Tom Collier, of Middletown, last year. Collier set the trap on the Garver Family Farm property in Monroe in early November 2008.

Contributed photo/Contributed photo A coyote is seen just before being caught by Tom Collier, of Middletown, last year. Collier set the trap on the Garver Family Farm property in Monroe in early November 2008.

Local residents attend informational meeting; one says no solutions were made.

By Dave Greber, Staff Writer Updated 7:18 AM Tuesday, November 10, 2009

More than 100 local residents left a meeting last week regarding the area’s population of coyotes “disappointed” in the reaction of West Chester Twp.

The township requested representatives from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to provide an information session about coyotes to locals on Nov. 4. But when it came time for action, some of those in attendance said township officials indicated there likely would be none.

“People didn’t want to hear that,” said resident Julie Dorn, whose dog Champ was believed to have been killed by a coyote in October. “They stood up and said we want to hear about what’s going to be done about the coyotes that are killing our family pets.

“I think everybody really thought it was just a waste of time,” Dorn added about the meeting. “People thought they were going to hear solutions.”

Dorn said she believed a coyote is responsible for reducing her 22-lb, 11-year-old dog Champ “to nothing but bones and fur” last month.

West Chester has provided additional information about coyotes and tips on handling their sightings on its Web site, www.westchesteroh.org. WCTV is also producing a video — also accessible via the township’s Web site — about coyotes. But beyond that, their hands are tied, officials said.

“It’s definitely a passionate issue,” said Township Administrator Judi Boyko. “It (the information session) was never intended to tell residents what the township could do.

“The township is not going to hunt coyotes on private property, and the township is not going to set traps for coyotes on private property.”

Trustees agreed.

“It’s not that we’re not concerned,” said Trustee Catherine Stoker. “We don’t go on people’s property and take care of their storm water problems, or take care of their trees or their pets. There’s just no funding for that. There’s no varmint levy.”

The township has advised residents to take care of coyotes just as they would a raccoon or other animal, by hiring a licensed removal company.

Officials from the ODNR have said despite residents’ concerns, the local coyote population isn’t growing, but that residents are becoming more aware of their existence.

However, one local trapper says that’s not the case.

Tom Collier, of Middletown, said this week he’s seen an increase while hunting in Monroe and other portions of Butler County during the past few years, including seven last year during a one-month period.

“I’m not going to say they (the ODNR) are lying, but in my opinion, they’re not correct by the numbers that I’ve seen,” Collier said.

The ODNR recommends people leash and watch their pets, especially during the early morning and evening hours. They also suggest keeping yards well lit and moving food and water dishes inside.

For Dorn and others like her, though, the frustration is growing.

“I hope the township does something,” she said. “But people don’t want to wait. They want to feel safe in their own neighborhoods.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2112 or dgreber@coxohio.com.

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