Ohio predators: Coyote, bear and bobcat

The wily coyote first arrived in Ohio in 1919 and can now be found in all of Ohio as they continue to expand their range.

(Plain Dealer archive)

TWINSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- After a coyote killed his terrier three years ago, Myron Gutowski has taken up arms.

That year he said he killed nine coyotes that came into his backyard, sometimes on his porch. Now he regularly sits on his porch, coffee in hand and loaded 9mm handgun at his side, waiting to see if a pack of the canines will make an advancement on his suburban home.

He isn't happy living so close to coyotes he says prey on pets, and he is unhappy with the response he has gotten from wildlife officials in Ohio and Summit County.

"I have coyotes on this property every single day. They are desensitized, they are aggressive, the only thing they under stand is rata-tat-tat," Gutowski said. "When the gun goes off an hits one of them, they won't be back for weeks."

Gutowski said wildlife officials he has spoken to have been reluctant to take action to control or divert coyotes away from his suburban neighborhood. Now, after his daughter lost her pet terrier to a predator attack, he's taking his concerns to lawmakers.

Year-round coyote sightings have been on the rise across Northeast Ohio in recent years as coyotes become more comfortable around people. As suburbia encroaches on rural areas, there are more bird-feeders, dogs, cats, garbage and other opportunities for coyotes to easily access food.

Coyotes, the cat killer

Coyotes typically avoid human interaction and rarely attack people, but often prey on pets as a food source, Ohio Division of Wildlife spokeswoman Jamey Emmert told cleveland.com.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Supervisor Scott Peters told WJW this week that it is unusual for coyotes to prey on animals that may be tied up or near humans, but that coyotes who get comfortable around suburban neighborhoods may become desensitized.

A report published by the University of California analyzing scat samples found that suburban coyotes "relied heavily on pets and rabbits" during winter months.

Generally sightings increase in the spring, when dog-like carnivores produce offspring and defend their dens.

Police departments in northern Summit County have not received reports of coyote attacks, although many have reported an increase in calls about coyote sightings.

"We did see an increase in the number of people calling and seeing," Twinsburg Police Lt. Tom Mason said. "People are generally calling and reporting seeing them near their home at night. There's really nothing we can do unless there's an attack, so we refer them to the animal warden."

Lawmakers could face coyotes

Gutowski wants the state to do more to protect his neighborhood and others like it.

On Friday, Gutowski has a meeting scheduled with Ohio Rep. Kristina Roegner. He has also found an ally in Summit County Councilman Nick Kostandaras, who said he lost his cat to a coyote six weeks ago at his home in Richfield.

"Working with the county executive, we will be exploring whatever legal possibilities are available in regards to the coyote issue," Kostandaras said.

Gutowski wants to see a program to discourage coyotes from coming near his development. Until then, he plans to continue patrolling his neighborhood, 9mm pistol in hand.

"I can't use my property the way I want to, I can't let my dogs out there," Gutowski said. "I pay property taxes, the coyotes don't pay any."