by Winston Chua

ARCADIA – The Arcadia City Council Tuesday night convened in the presence of more than 50 people in its city hall to discuss a number of topics, but the one that attracted the most attention was the debate as to how to handle the city’s coyote problem.

“I read an email from a concerned parent that read, ‘I’ve lost an animal, and I am not going to lose my child’”, said Mayor Peter Amundson. “I care about animals, but I care about people more.”

The city council unanimously agreed in open discussion with their August plans to continue protecting their community through the use of coyote traps

“I’m not prepared to risk my child or grandchild for the sake of education. I encourage education, but we need to do something now,” said Councilman Mickey Segal.

It is generally agreed upon from experts and non-experts alike that coyotes in Arcadia have lost their fear of man. Numerous residents have complained that their pets have been eaten, some not mildly.

Still, several dozen audience members plead with the council to find an alternative way to solve invasive coyotes in a way that does not involve the death of any animal.

Mayor Pro Tem Gary Kovacic agreed with animal rights’ activists to the extent that people should be better educated in how to safeguard themselves, their children and their pets from coyotes and other wild pets (like not feeding coyotes, for example).

On October 18, the city will hold a public information meeting coordinated by the police department, not a public hearing.

Susan Meikle, who lives in the Arcadia Gardens, said she has taken every precaution to avoid attracting coyotes to her yard, including emptying water at night, feeding pets inside and pruning overgrown shrubs. Despite her efforts, she said, their own pet was eaten, as was their neighbor’s Chihuahua.

Those who sought to protect coyotes suggested everything from brining rabbits into the fray to volunteering the services of various humane societies to eliminating the feral cat population.