Letter: Coyotes could become a hazard
The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced the first officially confirmed Long Island coyote sighting in Bridgehampton, after farmer Richard Wesnofske, 50, said he saw the creature in his potato field in neighboring Water Mill. (June 24, 2013) Credit: Rick Wesnofske
The director of the Wild Dog Foundation projects that a coyote population on Long Island would feast on our overabundant wildlife ["Coyotes could kill many LI pests," Letters, July 12]. While coyotes would certainly decrease the population of geese, deer and wild turkeys, the skyrocketing of the coyote population would be a scourge. Coyotes plague many suburban communities nationwide and would have no natural predator on Long Island. Once they populate, they are impossible to eradicate.
My son's dog was nearly killed by coyotes 30 feet from his front door in a Chicago suburb. People were attacked taking their garbage to the curb at night. Forget about leaving your dogs, cats and small children outdoors.
Coyotes also cross highways and become a traffic hazard.
Barbara Jo Ruis, Wading River
