U.S. backs off its plan to trap or kill coyote at Discovery Park

A coyote in Discovery Park is free to roam for another week or so without fear of being shot or trapped after it touched off a battle among residents, park advocates, city officials and the Navy.

Ken Gruver, assistant state director of wildlife services for the U.S. Agriculture Department, said Monday that his agency has agreed to hold off on any action until meeting with Seattle officials, maybe next week.

But Gruver said he is convinced that the coyote is a concern and that something will have to be done soon.

"He is getting real bold. He has killed a cat and injured a dog. He has less fear of humans than we like to see. It is at the point where it becomes a human health issue," Gruver said.

Last week, the Agriculture Department approved the use of leg traps to catch the coyote. But worries about park visitors accidentally stepping in them, even though the traps were on private property, led to their removal.

Over the weekend, Navy officials were talking about shooting the coyote, stirring city officials to action.

Coyotes are native animals and very common, Gruver said. "They are very adaptable; they live in town with people. They are nocturnal and prey on small animals. They are also opportunistic and will get into trash cans.

"We really want to target that specific animal. The issue is that he is getting bolder and bolder."

A Seattle Parks and Recreation spokeswoman said officials want to find out, too, if the coyote is sick.

"Once we know something about it, if it is sick or aggressive, then we will make a plan to protect humans. We have no reason now to believe it is a danger to humans," Joelle Ligon said.

But Ligon warned pet owners to take precautions.

"If you are visiting the park, your dog should be on a leash. If you live in or near the park and have a cat, we strongly recommend that your animal be an inside pet, not just for your pet's safety, but the safety of smaller animals that your pet might prey on, like songbirds," Ligon said.

Residents in the Navy's historic officer's row houses in Discovery Park have complained that the coyote is brazen and unafraid of people. It was seen stepping on porches. It captured a cat, injuring it to the point that it had to be euthanized.

"The Navy was concerned about the coyote, and the health and safety of the residents," Navy spokesman Rick Huling said.

"Many of the families have small children. We are concerned."

The Agriculture Department has given residents information about keeping pets inside and making sure that there isn't any food outside available to the coyote, Huling said.

Julia Allen, a retired veterinarian who lives near Discovery Park, said the coyote might have lost its fear of people because they are talking to it or feeding the animal.

"This coyote has lost its fear of people and pets," Allen said. "The only thing that is going to save this coyote is if people see it, they yell and scream and throw something at it. It isn't going to attack you; it is going to run away."

Others have wondered if the coyote might already have had pups and is trying to feed them. It the coyote is killed or relocated, the pups might be left to starve.

Some frequent park visitors said the coyote has stalked them when they were walking their small dogs.

Park advocates say coyotes rarely pose a threat to people and are part of the park ecosystem and urban wildlife. They say public education on how to avoid encounters would be a better solution than killing them.