Four reasons coyote culling a bad idea

I see where Wheaton has started to implement it's program to cull out the coyotes. I believe there are four main reasons this short sighted course of action is not the right for our village.

1. It's ineffective. Studies show that when coyotes are removed this usually leads to increases in immigration and reproduction. If coyotes are removed they are quickly replaced by others seeking new territories. Coyotes have been shown to also increase litter size in response to lower densities.

2. It's expensive because it's ineffective and will have to be repeated. In these days of tight budgets I think money can be better spent.

3. It's dangerous. The traps can be a potential danger to children and pets.

4. Coyotes help maintain an ecological balance. As shown in a study of their scat, they eat mostly rodents. They also help control the deer, Canada geese and rabbit populations.

Do your homework, city council members. All this info can be found in a study completed in 2006 in neighboring Cook County called "Urban Coyote Ecology and Management." And, people, watch your pets in the yard. If you're out there, a coyote won't approach. Also, if you let your cat wander free, then he joins the food chain.

Joe P. Dick

Wheaton