LongBeachReport.com | LBReport.com | Daytime Coyote Activity & Household Pet Danger in Zip 90815 Triggers Wildlife Watch Designation By LB Animal Care Services Incl. Stepped-Up Enforcement (w/ Residents Cited For Free Roaming Dogs & Cats (Unaltered)

(April 16, 2010, 10:40 a.m.) -- LB's Bureau of Animal Care services reports daytime coyote activity and the killing of household pets in ELB zipcode 90815...and the city agency has declared a Wildlife Watch Designation in zip 90815...with stepped up patrols, enforcement of existing licensing and rabies shot laws, checking for outside attractants outside...and advice offered to LB residents citywide.

LB Animal Care Services says its increased enforcement may include an additional animal control officer during reported high-activity times and locations and "[r]esidents will be cited for free-roaming dogs and cats (unaltered), as well as informed about state laws regarding the feeding and harassment of wildlife." It says License Inspectors will also be "canvassing the neighborhood to distribute education material, verify license and rabies information, and issue citations for violations" as well as collecting reporting and information to beshared with other city agencies, LBUSD...and State Fish & Game.

In a release, LB Animal Care Services says:

Due to reported daytime coyote activity and the killing of household pets in the 90815 zip code of Long Beach, Animal Control Officers have initiated additional patrols in the morning and evenings to monitor the activities of wildlife and animal owners. License Inspectors will be going door-to-door to ensure that dogs are licensed and have current rabies shots; as well as to check for open trash cans, and pet food or water bowls left outside.
Last year reports of coyotes led to a Wildlife Watch workshop with the Department of Fish and Game and residents.
"Coyotes are drawn to opportunities for food, water and shelter," states John Keisler, Bureau Manager, Animal, "pet owners are advised to keep small animals and food indoors at all times." Stray animals will be impounded and animal owners will be cited for violations until the wildlife activity abates. Implementation of this program in 90815 is in direct response to increasing hazards of coyote interactions posing a threat to personal pets, as determined by Long Beach Animal Care Services.
A Wildlife Watch designation is placed on a neighborhood or zip code to address the increase in human-wildlife conflict. This designation has occurred because reported wildlife incidents in a neighborhood or zip code have reached Level 4 or above:
1. Increase in wildlife on streets and in yards at night
2. Increase in wildlife approaching adults and/or taking pets at night
3. Wildlife on streets, and in parks and yards, in early morning/late afternoon
4. Wildlife chasing or taking pets in daytime
5. Wildlife attacking and taking pets on leash or near owners; chasing joggers, bicyclists, other adults
6. Wildlife seen in and around children’s play areas, school grounds, and parks in midday with children present
7. Wildlife acting aggressively towards adults or children in midday

During this time, Animal Care Services will schedule increased enforcement activities in the designated area. This may include:
An additional animal control officer will be assigned to the area for patrol and assessment during reported high-activity times and locations and issue citations for violations
Residents will be cited for free-roaming dogs and cats (unaltered), as well as informed about state laws regarding the feeding and harassment of wildlife
License Inspectors will be canvassing the neighborhood to distribute education material, verify license and rabies information, and issue citations for violations
Officers will collect reports regarding activity of wildlife and behavior of animal owners in designated areas to share with county, state and federal wildlife agencies
Information will be shared with Police Department, Environmental Health (restaurant inspection), School District (neighborhood schools) to increase patrols
State Fish & Game Department will be notified of Wildlife Watch designation and pre-existing reports of coyote activity and workshops or assessments may follow.
Aggressive wildlife will be removed by USDA and State Fish & Game, only if preventative measures have first been implemented by a community. Preventative measures have been proven to reduce or eliminate the number of human-wildlife confrontations. You must:
Never allow pets to roam and never leave small children unattended
Create an inhospitable environment for wildlife
Remove attractants (e.g. food, shelter and water) and keep pet food indoors
Keep trash cans covered and secured at all times
Clear brush from around the house and pickup fallen fruit

Any incidents involving wildlife at Level 4 and greater (see list above) should be reported immediately to emergency services 9-1-1. Residents are encouraged to report all other wildlife-related incidents as described in Level 1 through Level 3 to Animal Care Services. This may be done in one of the following three ways:
Phone: (562) 570-PETS (7387)
Online: http://www.longbeach.gov/acs/wildlife/report/default.asp#
Email: animalcare@longbeach.gov
For further information, contact the Animal Care Services Bureau at (562) 570.7387. More information about responsible pet ownership online www.longbeach.gov/acs