The Laguna Beach Police Department is alerting citizens that coyote incidents are on the increase.
Animals should not be left outdoors unattended and pet doors should be closed to prevent entry to and from homes.
Under no circumstances should people feed coyotes or leave food or water in accessible areas – this practice will encourage coyotes to enter the area looking for food and increase the risk of an attack.
Animal Services staff has already taken the following measures to address coyote problems:
Community meetings have been held to provide educational information to residents on how to live with coyotes and other wildlife, and avoid being a victim of an attack.
Additional meetings will be held as necessary to address new issues.
Information on coyotes and what to do has been posted on the Laguna Beach City Website.
A new e-mail address of coyotes@lagunabeachcity.net has been created so residents can easily report non-emergency coyote sightings and concerns directly to the Animal Services Unit.
City staff has placed yellow “coyote alert” signs in those areas of town where attacks and sightings have been reported.
Animal Services Officers are equipped with paintball guns that shoot balls containing clear water in an attempt to humanely haze and scare the coyotes away from residential areas.
The City has retained a professional trapping company and traps have been deployed in strategic locations over the last four months.
The City will continue to have the trapping company actively deploy traps through at least mid-January, and then throughout the year under a program prescribed by trapping experts.
Animal Services Officers have conducted home inspections upon request to provide advice on how best to protect the property from a coyote encounter.
Residents are reminded that coyotes are active during the day and night.
Several attacks have occurred in the City during the day.
Small dogs are most susceptible to being attacked by coyotes because of their size.
