Trapper: Coyotes pose extra danger this time of year

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County woman is worried a pack of wild coyotes will kill her pets or injure children in her Lawrenceville neighborhood.

Regina Williams said she takes pride in her animals, her rural setting and her neighbor's pets, so when she noticed a coyote den underneath a backyard cabin, she called in a trapper.

Trapper Tim Ivey said coyotes are on the move this time of year to feed their pups.

"These things aren't native here and they are dangerous. They've got to go," Williams said.

Ivey took Channel 2's Liz Artz on a tour of traps he set for Williams near her home on Prospect Church Road. They're natural, buried under ground and put off a scent that would be attractive to a coyote.

"We can use lures that will trigger the kind of response. We want to have the best response for that time of year," Ivey said.

Ivey said Williams' concerns are valid after the animals' pups are born, usually in April. At that point, their only concern is prey.

"They kill any animal of opportunity. Dogs, cats, deer," Ivey said.

Ivey said a 2-year-old in California was attacked this week.

"A coyote came out of the woods and grabbed the daughter. Tried to drag her back into the woods," Ivey said.

Ivey said he has caught one male coyote since he set up the traps. Williams said her son shot another male on Saturday.

"They multiply like mad. They could take over in no time," Ivey said.

WSBTV