Dallas considers "no feeding" ordinance to manage coyotes

After some dangerous encounters earlier this year, the city of Dallas is discussing the next steps in its plan to manage coyotes in the city.

DALLAS - The city of Dallas says the drought has caused an increase in coyotes in the city.

Now, the city is working to educate residents about how to haze coyotes because experts say killing them and relocating them won't work.

The city is also considering a new ordinance to help manage the number of coyote sightings in the city.

The city started its management plan in June after a toddler was attacked by a coyote in the Lake Highlands area.

A hotline was set up for people to report sightings. So far, there have been more than 800 calls about coyotes within the city limits and more than 50 from outside the city.

Four coyotes have been euthanized. All tested negative for rabies.

DALLAS COYOTE HOTLINE: 469-676-9813 or www.bedallas90.org/home/coyotes

"In rural areas, water is an issue," said Paul Ramos, interim assistant field director. "Because of irrigation, our streams and ponds still have water."

Another issue is people feeding wildlife that attract coyotes.

DAS is proposing an ordinance to target the kind of feedings that attract more than 10 animals at a time, including ducks and geese. That could be a "no feeding" ordinance, which encourages people to stop feeding the coyotes and not leave food out for feral cats.

Some argue the public needs more education on coyotes before resulting to fines.

"It's just to me a little heavy-handed. That's only addressing the PR component to get that headline that the city has done something to address a tragedy when in the end it's not addressing the tragedy," said Councilman Adam Bazaldua.

While the city said it's going to work to put out more "Do not feed the animals" signs, some argue people are ignoring those signs.

But urban wildlife specialist Brett Johnson said education alone isn't working.

"We will have people read the signs, laugh at them and start feeding the wildlife right in front of the rangers," he said.

But fines would be a last resort.

Experts say removing or killing coyotes can actually make the problem worse because dominant coyotes help control the population.

The city says the answer lies with everyone who encounters a coyote doing their best to scare them.

For now, the city is going to continue to work on educating the public. There is no date for council members to vote on an anti-feeding ordinance.