[Jeff Higgins]

Great story. Damn coyotes...

We had two in our front yard just a couple of days ago. We've been in the same house for over 30 years, which used to be outside of the city in a semi-rural, unincorporated part of the county. "Suburban creep" has since engulfed us and, with that, we thought the coyotes (and bears and cougars) would be pushed out. Bears and cougars have become exceedingly rare around here (although they still trap and relocate one or the other every few years), but the coyotes are thicker than ever. Anyone leaving a pet outside after dark eventually loses it, even big dogs, like Labs and such.

I used to shoot them in the neighborhood, but I was told by the police after we became incorporated that is was illegal to do so inside of city limits. They are wrong, of course (I've studied the applicable law, and have consulted a lawyer as well), but it just wouldn't be worth the hassle to prove they are wrong. Meanwhile, new residents, who don't know any better, keep losing pets. Signs on telephone poles tell the story.