Growing Coyote, Deer And Animal Population What's A City To Do?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Today, I made a mistake, of posting a story about a coyote caught in a trap.

Outrage and comments followed, and in retrospect they should have, I made a mistake.

However through that outrage a real discussion and a real need for that discussion evolved, and that is what the Lakewood Observer Deck is here for. Long time, far reaching discussions on what matter to Lakewoodites.

Back to the topic.


Bald Eagle flying away. (image by J O'Bryan)

Over the past decade we have seen some amazing things happen. Breeding pairs Bald Eagles in Rocky River Reservation with success that have seen numerous bald eagles flying over downtown Lakewood. Something we all love to see, well mostly all, except when a small dog or cat is missing. We have seen the resurgence of the Deer population, to the point where ever couple years they have to have a culling of them with hunters being hired just to rid cities of excess of deer.


Deer at the top of Hogs Back Road. (photo by J. O'Bryan)

Which leads to...


Deer running down Riverside Drive. (photo by J. O'Bryan)

Which leads to...


Deer on Belle Avenue in downtown Lakewood. (photo by J. O'Bryan)

And...


Herds of deer wandering throughout the city, the yards, the gardens, and sadly the occasional but growing run in with a car.

We love the deer, like the Bald Eagles until we hit one, or they destroy our garden.

Which brings us back to the Coyote, which again underlines just how much the wild animal population has returned to this area, and amazing success story. Something we all need to be proud an excited about. Well until they eat a dog, or worse.

We all remember that just 5 years ago, a person would report seeing a coyote, or eagle once in a blue moon. Then we started to hear it or see it daily. Then came reports of packs of coyotes, and attacks weekly on pets, or missing pets, and the city took action.

So the question is, how does the City of Lakewood protect residents that have bought in an urban area, and their pets from the growing threat of animal attacks? Or do they? Is the city responsible in anyway for doing this, or should it fall on the individual resident? Should they be trapped? Snared? Hunted? OR left alone?

What do you think?

In parting, I leave this video about wildlife, the chain of life, and just how important it all can be, that I found amazing.



.

[Stan Austin]

Jim--- This is a fascinating topic. I can only say what my current attitude is. It's one of a BIG UNANSWERED QUESTION. I go out for early morning walks. I see deer, raccoons, skunks newspaper delivery folks, and Kufner Towing.
Always, the first thing that pops into my mind is "Whose territory is this?"
I have yet to come up with an answer.
Stan

[Missy Limkemann]

I have so many thoughts on this. LOL. First, we are building and building and building the animals have no where to go. Do we really need this much? Do we (and I don't mean Lakewood per say) need this many malls, condos etc? How about some green space. Paved paradise for a parking lot.
If you keep trapping and per Ohio Law, you must euthanize the animals (coyotes, foxes, skunks etc), more will just take their place. It is a never ending cycle. As residents we must learn how to be on the lookout, how to be prepared.
I have 7 foster dogs (one just passed this weekend), but I never let them outside unattended. I have a small fenced in area for them, and I am still watching. My smallest foster dog is a pit mix (legal per DNA but that is my smallest!!!) and I still watch him. I think we need to be more aware of our surroundings, and better pet owners.
I guess just trying to learn how to live with them is the big thing. We all can get along if we just respect each other. How do you get a wild animal to respect you? Leave it alone...don't leave little Fluffy outside without your being there, dont antagonize it. Nature can and IS a beautiful thing if we just learn to let it be.
Again these are just my thoughts.
I do know the Animal Safety Board is working on a huge Coyote and wildlife initiative and will be putting out info to the community. If you would like to attend a meeting to discuss this PLEASE do so. They are open to the public, and they would love to hear from you. The next meeting is November 15th at 6pm at city hall.

[Bridget Conant]

I do know the Animal Safety Board is working on a huge Coyote and wildlife initiative and will be putting out info to the community. If you would like to attend a meeting to discuss this PLEASE do so. They are open to the public, and they would love to hear from you. The next meeting is November 15th at 6pm at city hall.

Thanks for this information! This is important.

[Mark Kindt]

I think our good friend Mr. O'Bryan has provided us with a "busy-work" task populated with his fine, excellent and interesting wildlife photography!

As a newcomer to Lakewood (35 years ago), I have never in that time ever seen a coyote. I have seen a fox and a skunk and a raccoon or two.

The deer are a graceful treat for us emerging naturally from our Metro park into our own carefully cultivated landscape efforts. Yes, they nibble at plants and trees. Treat them with respect and drive slowly when you see them. If you see one, there are likely others nearby. Let's treat them with common sense and let them grace our lives.

I would suggest to you that my peers in the legal profession have done more damage to our city recently than any of the four-legged inhabitants.

Nor are my comments here meant to disparage the comments of others.

I could be in error.