TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to direct Animal Care Services (ACS) to study the potential of establishing a coyote mitigation program to address the growing presence of coyotes in Long Beach and to report back to City Council within thirty (30) days.
DISCUSSION
In recent months, neighbors have reported numerous coyote encounters as well as multiple attacks on domestic pets in long Beach. Ongoing drought conditions may playa role as coyotes have seemingly moved further into Long Beach communities in search of food and sustenance.
Presently, the City of Long Beach coyote management plan only allows ACS to move toward the removal of a coyote after multiple reported attacks on pets or a single reported attack on a human. The State of California implements a somewhat similar approach and will remove or dispose of a coyote if the Department of Fish and Wildlife identifies it as an imminent threat.
Other nearby cities have been experiencing and responding to similar coyote sightings and attacks. For instance, the City of Seal Beach began trapping and euthanizing coyotes in September 2014; and most recently, four children were attacked by coyotes in Irvine and local and state officials have responded by capturing and euthanizing nine coyotes along with launching a new initiative known as Wildlife Watch.
ACS has reported potential costs associated with the establishment of a mitigation program that could include an initial assessment survey costing between $2,500 and $5,000 as well as $2,500 to $5,000 for the use of four to eight traps over the course of two weeks.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact relative to inve$tigating possible options to address the City's coyote problem; however, funding for services performed above and beyond normal ACS operations would require additional appropriations.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
STACY MUNGO
COUNCILWOMAN, FIFTH DISTRICT
DARYL SUPERNAW
COUNCILMEMBER, FOURTH DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH DISTRICT