Coyote Trapping Underway In Vestavia Hills

By: Chris Pollone/NBC 13 | Alabama's13.com
Published: May 08, 2008

VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. -- The sign near the entrance to Boulder Canyon Hiking Trail explains that coyote trapping is going on.

It's been underway for about three weeks, after coyotes were repeatedly spotted near the trail and a nearby elementary school.

Animal Control Experts manager Dusty Herron explained, “They're having a big problem with coyotes being seen out here on the soccer field with the little kids and all that, so we're trying to keep them away from the kids, trying to keep the population down around this area.”

So far, crews have trapped only one coyote.

They’ve also snared someone's pet.

The sign warns people to keep pets leashed, and to stay on the trail.

Vestavia officials became concerned when it appeared the coyotes were becoming too familiar with humans.

“They're getting so used to humans; they're getting braver and braver every time,” Herron said, “so once coyotes get a large population, that's when you start worrying about rabies and stuff like that.”

Scout Leaders Rich Humphrey and Jim Thorington hike Boulder Canyon about 10 miles a week and haven't seen any coyotes yet.

“I think what they did was appropriate, they put a sign up that said keep pets on a leash, stay on the trail, don't let them wander around in the woods,” Thorington said.

Experts say while small pets are easy targets, coyote attacks on humans are pretty rare.

“You probably need to worry about some animals, but I don't think that's one you need to worry much about,” Humphrey said.

Still, Vestavia Hills leaders would rather be safe than sorry.

The animal control experts say their leg traps might hurt a pet, but shouldn't injure them.

But still they'd prefer that people who live in that area keep their pets on a leash.

Coyote Trapping Underway In Vestavia Hills

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