Be good custodians of our wild places

I have been reading the recent news articles about a Wheaton "coyote problem." This is not a "coyote problem" but a problem of responsibility, both as a community and as individuals.

If we choose to have green places such as golf courses, forest preserves, prairie paths and parks, we choose to live with the wildlife. Our responsibility as a community is to consider and protect all elements of this beautiful place. This includes predators. Efforts to eliminate the coyote population will fail. Populations rebound, and whether you have 30 or 3,000 coyotes in the area, a dog or cat in the wrong place at the wrong time will be at risk from a single encounter with a single coyote.

Dogs not properly contained are at risk from other aggressive dogs, cars and predators such as coyotes, hawks and owls. Cats should be kept indoors. I would guess owls and hawks get their share of small pets. Are they next?

Some Wheaton City Council members have indicated that coyotes have become a nuisance and should be reduced. First of all, it is very difficult to live trap a coyote. Live trapping a large number of coyotes is not going to happen. Council members have a responsibility to investigate exactly what they are requesting, using taxpayer money.

Secondly, traps are cruel by nature and unless we want armed hunters roaming our parks and golf courses, you are left with poison, inhumane traps, which do not distinguish between coyotes, cats, dogs, or children.

It is the city council's responsibility to educate themselves on this issue. Please don't react by committing us to a program involving cruelty and waste. Become good custodians of the wild places we have come to love. Let's take responsibility for the welfare of all the animals in our community.

Elizabeth Reichert

Wheaton