Dearborn Plans Council Meeting Amid Surge In Coyote Sightings

DEARBORN, MI — Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said Monday city officials plan to host a council meeting this week to address concerns about a surge in coyote sightings.

"Some residents have said their house pets were attacked by coyotes, there have been sightings of coyotes eating feral cats (could have been pets?), and others have expressed anxiety with coyotes roaming their backyards/streets/local park given they have small children and pets," Hammoud said on Facebook.

While city officials have received reports of coyotes attacking small pets in the area, they haven't heard any reports of a coyote attacking a human in the area.

Hammoud added that the city has not signed a contract with an outside agency to trap/capture the coyotes, but said the police department has had talks with vendors about possible options.

Some residents have expressed anxiety of the growing number of coyote sightings in the area, while others do not like the idea of trapping them.

"No, I don’t like that idea at all," a woman told Fox 2 Detroit. "I think measures need to be taken to, so that you draw them around. Kind of the same thing with rats. I think it has a lot to do with it. But no, I think that would be really cruel.

Officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said residents should clean around their home and remove any food sources that may attract small animals and prey for coyotes.

Hammoud asked residents to bring their concerns, whether they agree or disagree, to the Dearborn Administrative Center Thursday at 7 p.m. when officials will discuss the matter.