Coyotes prove tough to eradicate;
animals are spotted regularly in area

After months spent trying to eradicate them, coyotes appear to still have a strong presence in Grosse Pointe Shores and surrounding areas.

Anecdotal sightings of the animals are common, usually late at night, and a police report in the Shores last month indicated a resident saw one attack and kill a cat.

Woods resident David Damore said he spotted several coyotes near the Lochmoor Country Club golf course earlier in the year, and started tracking them on a Google Map. (See below.)

"I was working nights, and would go for a run after I got home, and then I'd take a bike ride to cool off," he said. "I'd be out really late -- 1 or 2 in the morning. That's when they're out."

The Shores hired trappers last winter to take care of the problem, but “it was not as successful as we hoped,” said City Manager Brian Vick. “We continue to monitor the situation and reserve the right to try trapping again."

It's likely a losing battle. According to Tim Payne of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, coyotes live in every county in the state. The highly adaptable animals can find a home near rivers or parks, and live on mice, rabbits or squirrels. Payne suggests those in neighborhoods where coyotes have been spotted should use caution when letting small dogs or cats out of the house. But Payne said, “Generally when you remove a coyote another one will come in over time.”

The good news is, they are not generally a threat to people. Reports do not show any attacks on humans, and Shores Police Chief Stephen Poloni said that there has “never been a child in the state of Michigan that has been attacked by a coyote.”

Payne said coyotes are not a problem as long as they remain skittish around humans; it's a lack of fear that can be troublesome. To preserve their natural wariness, Payne suggests not feeding the animals. Poloni added that residents should keep their garbage well-covered to keep them away from houses.

“We want to make sure people keep them wild,” Payne said.

Coyotes aren't protected under state law, so residents have some latitude in dealing with troublesome individuals. However, it is illegal to discharge firearms in the city.

Crowdsource the coyotes

Help track the sightings of coyotes in the Pointes. See one? Drop us an e-mail with the date, time and location and we'll mark it on our map. Click the place markers to see activity already noted, via police reports and direct sightings.

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