Title
Discussion of coyote sightings within Hudson city limits and options for management programs
Brief Description: Council requested the topic of coyotes being within city limits and that potential management programs be discussed at a workshop.
Body
Legislative History
None
Purpose & Explanation
Staff has reached out to the ODNR Wildlife Division to obtain information regarding urban coyote populations in Ohio and best practices to successfully manage human coyote interactions. Attached to this report is a sample coyote management plan developed by the ODNR for this area of Ohio as well as a coyote property check list.
In addition to the management plan, staff spoke with four private nuisance animal management service companies. Some do address problem coyotes that have become a nuisance. Each company agreed that a mass culling of coyotes is not cost effective and will have little long-term effect in reducing future populations. Culling ultimately results in more coyotes coming in and occupying available space for food supplies and due to the coyote family structure, increased number of pups. This seems to run true in most of the educational literature. Larger specialty companies like White Buffalo do not work with coyotes. Education and information with regards to how to live with urban coyotes seems to be the agreed upon first step in responding to sightings with addressing “problem” coyotes on a case-by-case basis.
Timing Considerations
None
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
N/A
Submitted by,
Thomas J. Sheridan, City Manager
Frank J. Comeriato Jr., Asst. City Manager - Operations