Dear Editor:
After reading both of the letters to the editor on the subject of coyotes, let me first say that it is refreshing to know that we, of the Plant City community, once again have a voice in one of our local papers — something that has been hijacked from us in the takeover of what was once our hometown paper, the Plant City Courier, by the Lib-Trib (Tampa Tribune) and its obvious “progressive” slant.
I do share Mr. Nelson’s pain in the loss of a loved pet. I lost my pet male cat of 17 years, Tuffy, to a senseless coyote attack. They killed him purely for sport — not out of necessity for survival. They mauled his face and ate part of his hind quarters. It was so sad to have my daughter call me that morning to tell me he was in their yard and he was dead. Then, to see him that way was very hard.
Coyotes especially love to hunt and kill house cats. I have observed them in the wild while hunting, and I can tell you first-hand that coyotes are treacherous, cunning scavengers, who kill anything they come across, period. Baby birds of all types and their eggs, wild or tame, as well as any other creature they can overpower and kill.
I have a very good friend, who has been a farmer in south Georgia all of his life, and he has always raised white faced Hereford cattle. In one year, the coyotes killed 18 of his newborn calves. That was before the farmers and others began to hunt, trap and poison them 24/7, until they got them back under control.
They multiply like roaches, and they can decimate all domestic animals and wildlife if they are not eradicated. They absolutely cannot be compared to a possum or any type of snake, alligator, armadillo or buzzard. They are not native to this area — I never saw or heard one in my younger days in the wild. They are extremely stealth and mostly nocturnal and very difficult to trap or to poison.
They are not a necessity to nature in our area. They need to be restricted to areas where the natural order can keep them in check.
If you think these animals won’t attack a human, think again. It has happened, and remember, they can travel in large packs. Just listen for them in the evening at dusk, and you’ll hear them if they are in your area, which they are — virtually everywhere these days.
A good wounded rabbit call and a small caliber, flat-shooting bullet works wonders, Just make sure you are well hidden, because these animals are extremely cautious and hard to kill.
Gary Keeler, Plant City