Reprinted from the Outer Banks Voice.
Saying it was responding to complaints of cruelty to wildlife, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has sent an appeal to the town of Nags Head to use methods other than trapping to control the growing coyote population.
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“Trapping and killing coyotes isn’t just inhumane and indefensible — it’s also ineffective,” Daphna Nachminovitch, the animal rights group’s senior vice president, said in a statement.
“PETA is urging Nags Head officials to take a common-sense approach to living alongside wildlife, rather than trying to exterminate animals who are simply trying to live.”
The town is limited to the trapping season from December through February because it is one of five counties under rules to protect red wolves and because of limitations on firing guns in a populated area. Elsewhere in rural areas of the state, the animals can be shot on private property and during daylight hours on public land with a permit.
PETA appealed to the town to use methods that discourage coyotes from roaming around populated areas, such as keeping pet food inside, minimizing places they can hide and even placing ammonia-soaked rags in their dens to “evict” them.
Town Manager Cliff Ogburn responded to PETA with a letter noting that the town had consulted with a wildlife biologist and provided information on coyotes in public presentations and on its website. The town has encouraged residents to take many of the same steps the group is advocating, he added.
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“My point is we don’t intend to treat any animal in an inhumane manner,” Ogburn wrote. “We do, however, want to address the concerns of our citizens and are comfortable with the manner in which we have trapped coyotes as it strictly adheres to NC General Statutes and is done so with the full knowledge of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
PETA said it wanted information on whether the town plans to trap the animals again next season.
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This story is provided courtesy of the Outer Banks Voice, a digital newspaper covering the Outer Banks. Coastal Review Online is partnering with the Voice to provide readers with more environmental and lifestyle stories of interest about our coast.
