Police: Seal Beach Coyotes Migrating From Naval Weapons Station
SEAL BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Police and residents in Seal Beach will hold a public meeting Monday to discuss urban coyote activity in the community.
KNX 1070's Mike Landa reports authorities hope the meeting will educate the public on how to protect their pets and property from the growing menace.
Police: Coyotes In Seal Beach Migrating From Naval Weapons Station
Officials with the Seal Beach Police Department and Long Beach Animal Care Services will be on hand to address the public about a string of sightings both locally and county-wide, including the Cypress, Huntington Beach, Laguna Woods and Anaheim areas.
While noting there has not been an increase in coyote sightings in Seal Beach, Sgt. Phil Gonshaks said coyotes have been migrating from a nearby park and U.S. Naval Weapons Station and attacking stray cats and family pets.
"We're just trying to get the word out there that...there's several things you can do to protect your pets and keep your pets safe," Gonshaks said.
Some of those safety precautions include:
- Feed pets indoors or promptly remove dishes when pets complete their meals outdoors. Store bags of pet food indoors;
- Use trash barrels fitted with pipe clamping devices on the lids to prevent spills;
- Remove fallen fruit - particularly avocados - from yards and orchards. Fallen fruit will attract other food 'sources' for coyotes;
- Clear brush and dense weeds around your property. This deprives shelter to rodents and reduces protective cover for coyotes;
- Keep small animals indoors as much as possible, especially at night; and
- Do not put trash cans out the night before the scheduled pick up. Put them out in the morning. Coyotes are intelligent and learn to knock them over to access the contents.
Anyone who sees a coyote in the area is urged to call the Long Beach Animal Care Services at (562)570-7387. If the coyote is posing an imminent threat to life, residents are urged to call 911.
Residents can also report coyote sightings online at the Long Beach city website.
The meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., will be held at the Seal Beach City Council chambers.
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