Coyote sightings up in Statesville

STATESVILLE, N.C. -- Iredell County animal control officers say they get at least two calls a day about coyote sightings.

That's up significantly from last year, and residents say the animals have attacked livestock and family pets.

According to the county's wildlife biologist, the coyote sightings are primarily near wooded areas, but several have even been spotted within Statesville city limits.

The problem has become so widespread that county administrators are now calling for a public meeting.

"I've lived here all my life and never laid eyes on one that I'm aware of until the last year or so," said Lynne Mauney, who cares for a herd of cattle. "Last year two that we know of were taken by coyotes, then two this fall, and then one this spring."

The problem, Mauney says, is new housing developments.

"It's just pushing all the wildlife into smaller and smaller areas," she said.

Coyote traps are one solution. Animal control says it's legal to shoot the animals as long as they're outside city limits. But development can interfere with that as well.

"Once it gets dark, you can't just randomly shoot out here anymore because of the developments," Mauney said.

And Mauney says while livestock, dogs, cats and trash are the targets for coyotes now, she fears small children living in the new homes could be next.

"They're not, for the most part, scared of you. They're very brave," she said.

Mauney says it is possible to scare off a coyote using pots and pans or bright lights.

She is looking forward to a public meeting at the county library at 7 p.m. Thursday where a wildlife biologist will talk about possible solutions for the growing problem.