Watch CBS News

OC City Council May Overturn Firearms Ban To Stop Coyote Attacks

MISSION VIEJO (CBS) — Members of the Laguna Woods City Council on Friday will meet to consider an ordinance that would allow a private contractor to shoot potentially dangerous coyotes suspected of having killed two small dogs in recent weeks.

The council's next regularly scheduled meeting is Aug. 17, and neither Mayor Bert Hack nor city manager Leslie Keane wanted to further delay taking action.

Among the proposals the council will consider: changing its strict firearms ordinance in order to pave the way for a potential outside party to take aim at the animals.

A woman was dragged as she tried to stop coyotes who snagged her pet Yorkie as she clung to the dog's leash Tuesday morning, Keane said. The dog was killed and the woman suffered minor injuries.

Coyote Attacks Yorkie In Laguna Woods
This pet Yorkie (above) was killed in one of the recent coyote attacks in Laguna Woods. (credit: CBS)

KNX 1070's Ron Kilgore reports some residents have even resorted to carrying makeshift clubs to protect themselves and their pets from the wild animals.

Podcast

"We have a coyote problem as everybody knows, and we've had a problem for a number of years, but this year that situation has escalated to the point where we're seeing hostile, desensitized coyotes that are no longer afraid of humans," Keane said.

The ordinance would also allow for 21-gun salutes at military funerals, which is currently prohibited now, Keane said.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.