Residents in some parts of South Everett in Snohomish County are reporting frequent coyote sightings near Hannabrook Park and surrounding neighborhoods. <\/p>\n
Residents say the proximity of homes to the park\u2019s natural environment, including streams and heavily wooded areas, may contribute to the increased presence of coyotes.<\/p>\n
Everett city Officials have posted information about coyotes on the city website, urging people to report coyotes.<\/p>\n
Carissa Hanes, an Everett resident, spoke to KIRO 7 while out in Hannabrook Park and recounted an instance when her husband saw a coyote on a trail near the park one morning while jogging. <\/p>\n
Hanes said coyote sightings are common, and she has seen them in her yard on occasion.<\/p>\n
Recently, Hanes told KIRO that she has stopped letting her daughter play outside unsupervised.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t let her outside without us nearby, make sure we\u2019re always close by just in case because of the coyotes,\u201d Hanes said.<\/p>\n
Derek Olson, also an Everett resident, was at Hannabrook Park with his dog, Ollie, and said he has frequently seen coyotes in the neighborhood. <\/p>\n
While Olson is not concerned about his dog being attacked, he suspects aggressive coyotes may have been responsible for the loss of another family pet. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe actually just lost our cat, which I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s from coyotes or not; I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if it was a coyote,\u201d Olson said, adding that coyotes are active in the area and have been seen close to homes. <\/p>\n
Brendan O\u2019Dell, who lives one street over from Hannabrook Park near an undeveloped area, observed that coyotes in his neighborhood are not easily deterred by humans. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not put off by humans; they don\u2019t run from us or anything,\u201d O\u2019Dell said. \u201cI\u2019ve been on walks in the neighborhood. I\u2019ve seen them 20 feet away, and they don\u2019t turn and run or anything.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife classifies coyotes as non-game animals, requiring a license to trap or hunt them. On its website, the department also states that a property owner may legally trap or kill a coyote if it\u2019s damaging crops or harming pets. <\/p>\n
The city of Everett advises residents on its website to yell, make noise, or spray coyotes with water if or when they come across one. The city added that it may take a few tries before the coyote runs away using these tactics. <\/p>\n