Decatur woman wants city to do something about coyotes

DECATUR, Ga.,None — Coyotes are attacking pets and frightening people in parts of DeKalb County. One homeowner told Channel 2 Action News a coyote snatched her cat from her porch.

"I heard a noise that sounded like confrontation with my cat, you know a dog and cat screaming. So, within seconds I went out the front door," Christy Bosarge said.

Bosarge lives along East Parkwood Road in Decatur. She told Channel 2's Erica Byfield the attack happened at about 11:45 a.m.

Bosarge said she screamed and ran after the coyote, but it was too late for her cat.

"I stumbled across her, she was just barely breathing and I was there with her at the last minute, which is a godsend that I was able to get there with her," Bosarge said.

Bosarge is now leading an effort to pressure Decatur city leaders to adopt a plan to deal with the coyotes, even if that means trapping them.

"For the folks who are very concerned about the coyotes and would like them trapped there is an equal number who believe the natural environment should be protected," Decatur City Manager Peggy Merriss said.

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Georgia law said if you trap a coyote, you must put it down. Merriss told Byfield in the past Decatur residents opposed euthanizing coyotes.

Therefore, her staff is encouraging residents to try to cohabit with the coyotes and offering tips like keeping call cat and dog food inside. Bosarge insists there must be change.

"For us to have this attitude of live and let live in the urban city I think is unrealistic, I know we can't get rid of them completely, but we have to something to discourage them from coming around" Bosarge said.

Bosarge and others plan to attend the Dec. 5 Decatur City Commission Meeting to demand the city take some sort of action.

WSBTV