Agenda Date: 7/5/2022
TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
George Gabriel, Assistant to the City Manager
SUBJECT:
Update on Coyote Management Actions and Activities (City Manager Moe). (Estimated Time: 30 Min.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
_________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction on actions the City could take to address coyotes in the City.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
Recently, there have been reports of increased coyote sightings and activity in Manhattan Beach and throughout the South Bay. Residents have reported attacks on pets and escalation of aggressive behavior displayed by coyotes.
At the June 21, 2022, meeting, Councilmember Hadley requested, with concurrence from Mayor Napolitano, to agendize a discussion and report on coyote management.
In response to this request, staff has undertaken a variety of actions concerning coyote management. These include:
· Held an internal meeting with representatives from the Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, Public Information, Legal and Public Works to discuss current and future strategies on coyote management;
· Assigned a staff representative to coordinate the City’s response to coyotes;
City Council Meeting
July 5, 2022
File Number: 22-0300
· Issued a press release and began a social media campaign on all platforms to educate the public on safeguards to protect pets against coyotes; · Hosted a regional meeting with a representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to discuss how interactions between humans and coyotes can be minimized (Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach animal control were in attendance); · Conducted a patrol of hot-spot areas in the City with the representative from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine where coyotes could be currently located or prone to dwell in the City;
· Reached out to the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, City of Torrance and City of Arcadia to obtain information on coyote management;
· Developed and disseminated handouts with public information related to coyote management best practices; and
· Compiled data on confirmed and unconfirmed coyote sightings or attacks (Attachment #1 includes data from 2016 - present).
Additionally, the City is exploring the purchase of “game cameras” that allow the City to observe potential coyote behavior in areas with reported coyote sightings.
DISCUSSION:
While the Police Department’s Animal Control Division continues to address coyote sightings and attacks as they are reported, nearby cities have taken other actions the City Council may want to explore. Options to address coyote management include:
1. Revise the City’s Existing Coyote Management Plan
In 2016, Manhattan Beach, along with other municipalities in Southern California, began to experience an increase in the amount of coyote encounters. While Manhattan Beach experienced only an increase in coyote sightings and the preying of free roaming feral cats in open public and private areas, other municipalities reported encounters that included: 1) attacks on pets that were on and off leash, 2) a documented escalation of stalking and aggressive behavior displayed by coyotes, 3) an upsurge in sightings in areas populated by people (particularly during the day).
In response, the Police Department’s Animal Control division developed a coyote management plan in 2016. Staff is currently reviewing the plan and will provide an oral report of the plan and any revisions that could be made.
2. Initiate a Public Engagement Strategy Focused on Human Behavior Following discussions with other cities and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, staff learned that one key aspect of managing coyotes is providing education to the community on human behavior. Oftentimes, coyote packs remain in urban environments due to sources that allow them to survive or thrive. Human behaviors that allow them to thrive include: open trash containers, uncontrolled fruit trees, uncontrolled brush, unattended pets and more.
As indicated earlier in the report, the City has already begun a preliminary communitywide
City Council Meeting
July 5, 2022
File Number: 22-0300
education effort. However, should City Council direct staff, a more robust engagement strategy can be created that may involve community meetings, videos and additional handouts.
3. Explore Regulations and Enforcement
The act of feeding wildlife leads to increases in wildlife activity. Feeding can attract coyotes and their prey to an area which, in turn, leads to an increased likelihood of creating habituated coyotes and ultimately increased interactions between coyotes and humans. Pursuant to California State law, feeding wildlife is prohibited. Additionally, Los Angeles County regulations state that providing food for certain rodents or predator animals (such as coyotes) is prohibited.
Some cities have also adopted municipal code regulations that reinforce existing regulations and codify them in the City’s municipal code.
To ensure all regulations are being appropriately enforced, some cities have revisited their enforcement practices as well as proactive procedures. In doing so, dedicated phone lines and applications have been established to geographically-tag coyote sightings/attacks and formalize data collection protocols.
4. Contract for Trapping Services
Another solution that cities such as Torrance have utilized is contracting for trapping services.
Developing a trapping program involves a variety of legal, ethical and financial ramifications that would require City Council discussion and policy direction at a future City Council meeting.
Should City Council direct staff to explore the development of a trapping program, staff would find out if the other cities have found them to be an effective tool.
5. Brush Removal
Coyotes have historically existed in the South Bay, finding safe havens in sumps, marsh land and areas of dense brush. There are areas in and adjacent to the City’s borders where these conditions exist and could be areas where coyotes build dens and reproduce. To discourage these safe havens, the City may explore dense brush removal programs and work with stakeholders in adjacent cities. However, any dense removal program must also weigh environmental and habitat concerns that may be raised.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction on actions the City could take to address coyotes in the City.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Coyote Observations in Manhattan Beach (2016 - Present)
2. California Fish and Wildlife Brochure on Coyotes
3. Torrance At-Home Coyote Prevention Checklist
City Council Meeting
July 5, 2022
2022
(Jan. ‐ Present) 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Attacks on humans: 0000000
Confirmed / observed predation: 10000 1 (cat) 0
Reported sightings (no attacks, only
roaming area) to Animal Control: 92 8 1 34 82 3 1 0
TOTAL 15 30 13 4 9 28 16
4 (3 cat and 1
opossum)
6 (5 cat and 1
opossum)
* Animals found already deceased and partially consumed, no witness or video to confirm animal was actually killed by a coyote. Coyotes may find and consume road kill or animals already deceased from other circumstances or causes.
Coyote Observations in Manhattan Beach
2016 ‐ Present
Unconfirmed / possible* predation: 2 (cats) 0 0 1 (cat)5 City Council Meeting
July 5, 2022
Stash Your Food
and Trash
Allowing coyotes access to human food
and garbage is reckless and deadly.
Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits for food,
but will take advantage of whatever is available,
including garbage, pet food, and domestic animals.
• Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
• Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates. • Bring pets in at night, and do not leave pet food
outside.
• Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting
rodents and other coyote prey.
• Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, etc. • Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
• Ask your neighbors to follow these tips.
Please respect and protect wild animals.
Keep them wild.
www.keepmewild.org
Feeding Wildlife
is Dead Wrong.
California Department
of Fish and Wildlife
A campaign for all wild animals.
For More Information
Contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Northern Region
Redding – (530) 225-2300
North Central Region
Rancho Cordova – (916) 358-2900
Bay Delta Region
Napa – (707) 944-5500
Central Region
Fresno – (559) 243-4005 ext. 151
South Coast Region
San Diego – (858) 467-4201
Inland Deserts Region
Ontario – (909) 484-0167
Sacramento Headquarters - (916) 322-8911
To order more pamphlets, please call (916) 322-8911 or
email [email protected].
Alternate communication methods are available upon re - quest. If reasonable accommodation is needed, contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife, (916)322-8911 or the
California Relay Service serving deaf and hearing-impaired residents using TTY/TDD phones, and speech-impaired
callers, at (800) 735-2929.
City Council Meeting
July 5, 2022
Wild animals are in trouble, and the problem
is people who are careless with food and
garbage.
Coyotes play an important role in the
ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations
under control. They are by nature fearful of
humans.
If coyotes are given access to human food and
garbage, their behavior changes. They lose
caution and fear. They may cause property
damage. They might threaten human safety.
They might be killed.
Relocating a problem coyote is not an option
because it only moves the problem to
someone else’s neighborhood.
Help prevent deadly conflicts
for these beautiful wild
animals.
“Coyote country” precautions
• Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes. The
result may be deadly conflicts with pets or
livestock, or serious injuries to small children.
• Do not leave small children or pets outside
unattended.
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around the
house.
• Trim ground-level shrubbery to reduce hiding
places.
• Be aware that coyotes are more active in
the spring, when feeding and protecting their
young.
• If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If
this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
• If a coyote attacks a person, immediately
contact the nearest Department of Fish and
Wildlife or law enforcement office. After
normal business hours, call 911.
Stash Your Food
and Trash
A campaign for all wild animals.
Coyote-Proof
Containers
Use garbage cans that
have a locking
mechanism on the lid.
Use a rope or elastic
cord to secure the can
to a fence or other solid
object so that it cannot
be tipped over.
New Laws
Feeding coyotes is illegal in some communities.
Many local ordinances require installation of
wildlife-proof garbage containers and make
wildlife feeding punishable by fines.
You Can Help
Please visit www.keepmewild.org for download-
able posters, newspaper advertisements and
other Keep Me Wild™ materials.
Wild Animals Ruined, Even Killed by
People’s Carelessness!
The co yote’s
range covers the
entire state of Cali-
fornia. Most conflicts
occur along borders
between urban and
wild areas.
Coyote
Conflicts
City Council Meeting
July 5, 2022
CITY OF TORRANCE COYOTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM-COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
At-Home
Coyote
Prevention
Checklist
REMOVE COYOTE ATTRACTANTS:
Accomplished:
Date (month/year) RECOMMENDATIONS
Food NEVER feed wildlife. It is illegal. Leaving food outside your home invites coyotes and their prey (rodents and small mammals).
Pet Food
Feed pets indoors. Coyotes have a keen sense of smell. Pet food can attract them to your yard.
Store pet food indoors or in tight fitting containers.
Trash
Secure trash containers with locking lids and place curbside morning of trash pick-up.
Don’t overflow trash bins. It’s a health hazard and provides easy access to coyotes and other foraging animals.
Periodically clean cans to reduce residual odors.
Compost Fully enclose compost bins.
Do not include meat or dairy among compost.
Ripened Fruit Pick ripened fruit from trees and ground. Protect fruit with tree netting.
Water Remove water attractants, such as pet water bowls.
BBQ Grills Clean food around barbeque grills after each use.
Bird Feeders Clean fallen seed to avoid the presence of small mammals that coyotes prefer to eat.
Overgrown
Landscaping
Trim vegetation/brush to clear hiding places and potential denning sites, especially before coyotes den (March).
SAFEGUARD PETS:
Dogs & Cats
Keep pets indoors when not supervised.
Walk pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length. Pets can enjoy time outdoors with the use of fully enclosed dog kennels and cat patios (catios).
PREVENT POTENTIAL HABITAT:
Micro urban habitats are small areas within a city that provide food, water, or shelter for wildlife to survive. Coyotes take advantage of these areas to:
hunt prey where small mammals gather, such as green belts, brush piles, overgrown gardens, and crawl spaces.
hide and move about using shelter as thoroughfares in their search for food.
When possible secure or remove potential habitat near your home: under decks, sheds, around woodpiles, shrubbery or any other structure that provide cover or dens for coyotes and their prey.
More information: www.TorranceCA.Gov/coyotes
Urban coyotes prefer to live in undeveloped green space but can travel 15 miles using shelter to cross city boundaries for easily accessible food and water.
Preventive practices, such as removing attractants, modifying habitat near residential areas and hazing (scaring) coyotes are key to minimizing conflict.
City Council Meeting
July 5, 2022
City Council Meeting
July 5, 2022