Residents suspect coyotes killed cats

Published 6:44 am Monday, March 3, 2008

Along 25th Ave. NE four cats were found dead in a soccer field behind Kellogg Middle School last week.

Families from the area found the remains of the cats during early morning hours, and have blamed the deaths on coyotes.

Generally all that is left are paws, pieces of spine, heads and often the carcasses are gutted.

Neighbor Cathleen Edwards is very concerned about her own cats.

She explained that their neighborhood is surrounded by wildlife areas such as Grace Cole Memorial Nature Preserve and Hamlin Park.

Edwards has been keeping her pets in doors at night, due to her fear that they too will get picked up by coyotes.

A problem that ensued from the dead cats was who should clean up the remains — the school or the cat owners.

“It is the property owners’ responsibility to pick up the remains,” said Anita Davies, a spokesperson for North Puget Sound Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.

Davies explained that it is highly likely that coyotes are responsible but it could also be a starving raccoon. A dog would kill a cat but would not have gutted it in that manner.

She suggested that pet owners keep cats and small dogs inside and only allow them outside while supervised. No food or water should be left out and if there was at some point the area should be washed with white vinegar. Make sure compost piles and garbage cans are secure.

Davies encouraged a bait -and-switch routine. Use raw chicken skin and stuff it with one inch balls of cayenne pepper. Hang these balls around the perimeter of the home. This will bait them to come eat, but the pepper is unpleasant.

“The point is to discourage the coyotes from coming in and the cayenne pepper tells them what will happen if they do,” she said.