Wauwatosa Gives February Update On Coyotes Near Underwood Creek

Press release from the City of Wauwatosa:

02/02/2023 3:17 PM

February 2023 Update on Coyotes near Underwood Creek

In the event of a verified pet attack, and upon resident request, we will engage a contracted professional in an attempt to locate and remove a nuisance coyote.

The City of Wauwatosa has a coyote nuisance management and response plan policy. In the event of a verified pet attack, and upon resident request, we will engage a contracted professional in an attempt to locate and remove a nuisance coyote.

In late 2022, there was a verified pet attack near Underwood Creek, and the resident requested that we contact a professional to respond to this incident.

We’ve contracted with a local professional, Recon Trapping, who is currently scouting the area and plans to set traps starting February 3, 2023. Below is other safety information neighbors should know:

Recon Trapping will attempt to locate, trap, and lethally dispatch the nuisance coyote.

The trap is a foot-hold trap meaning it holds an animal just above the foot until the trapper returns to check the trap. This is a non-lethal trap. However, Recon Trapping has permission and intends to use a gun to lethally shoot a coyote once it’s in a trap.

All of these traps are on Wauwatosa Public Works land - in areas where the public wouldn't access. The trap locations will be marked with pink flagging. These traps are non-lethal. Even though the traps are in non-public locations, it's common for coyotes to be in the residential neighborhood. Please leash you pet at all times.

If you see an animal in a trap, please do not go near the trap or the trapped animal. Please call the Wauwatosa Police non-emergency number: (414) 471-8430.

We encourage all residents to take steps to eliminate attractants on their property in order to minimize interactions with coyotes. Examples of ways to deter coyotes include:

• never feeding a coyote
• securing your pet’s food and water bowls indoors
• removing bird feeders and seed from the ground
• establishing a fence around your yard
• never leaving pets unattended or unleashed
• securing trash containers

This press release was produced by the City of Wauwatosa. The views expressed here are the author’s own.