Seal Beach to Address Urban Coyotes in Community Meeting

Prompted by recent sightings of and attacks by coyotes in the area, the Seal Beach Police Department and Long Beach Animal Care Services will hold a public meeting Nov. 4 to educate the community on coyote awareness.

According to police, the meeting will address how to deal with urban coyotes in the Seal Beach area and safety precautions residents can take.

"We welcome all community members and friends to be part of this and wish to work together on future responses to this issue," Seal Beach police said in a release. "Collaboration between animal experts and the community will enhance the safety of pets and wildlife in the area."

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Seal Beach City Council chambers, 211 8th Street.

Additional information about urban coyotes ban be found by calling Long Beach Animal Care Services at 562-570-7387 or visiting their website. Coyote sightings can also be reported to Long Beach Animal Care Services through both methods.

Long Beach Animal Care Services also outlined the following coyote safety precautions on their website:

• Feed pets indoors or promptly remove dishes when pets complete their meals outdoors. Store bags of pet food indoors.
• Use trash barrels fitted with pipe clamping devices on the lids to prevent spills.
• Remove fallen fruit – particularly avocados, from yards and orchards. Fallen fruit will attract other food ‘sources’ for coyotes.
• Clear brush and dense weeds around your property. This deprives shelter to rodents and reduces protective cover for coyotes.
• Keep small animals indoors as much as possible, especially at night.
• Do not feed or provide water to coyotes or other wildlife.
• Do not use plastic bags as garbage containers. Coyotes will rummage through them looking for food.
• Do not put trash cans out the night before the scheduled pick up. Put them out in the morning. Coyotes are intelligent and learn to knock them over to access the contents.