Even though Wellington North Township has dealt with numerous livestock claims because of coyotes, it seems there is not so much to howl about in Minto.
Councillors here recently reviewed a report from Clerk Barb Wilson regarding livestock claims and coyote problems. She noted as a result of numerous livestock claims caused by coyotes, Wellington North has had discussions with Ministry of Natural Resources representatives.
Wilson said she heard it would be better if Wellington County establishes programs to eliminate coyotes. She noted the MNR does not impose bounties, but prefers a payment program allowing hunters to work within a 5km range of the site of a livestock kill for 30 days. The hunters would then receive payment from the municipality for each coyote.
Wilson said the idea is to eliminate only the problem coyotes, not a large number of them. She added Minto has not had a livestock claim since August 2007, and she supports the idea of payment at the county level.
“There are guidelines that the MNR will provide to municipalities; however if all the municipalities in Wellington County had the same remuneration policy as set between the County of Wellington and the MNR, I believe it would be an asset.”
While Mayor David Anderson is willing to support the idea, he said he personally has not noticed much of a problem in Minto.
Since there had not been a claim since 2007, councillor Rick Hembly joked that now there would be 30 wolves waiting at the front door.
Deputy Mayor-Judy Dirksen had a more pragmatic response. She noted Minto has a good population of rabbits and deer, so there is little need for coyotes or wolves to prey on livestock.
But she agreed there are quite a few coyotes out there.
Her issue is in allowing people to hunt within a 5km radius around a kill site. Although tagged, her dogs run freely on her farm.
“My dogs should be able to run freely on my 100 acres of land,” she said.
She wants assurance her dogs would not fall prey to a hunter’s bullet.
When it was suggested the tags need to be visible, she asked if the collar would need flashing lights as well.
Anderson responded “Your dogs have nice big collars … a wild animal won’t.”
However, Dirksen said her dogs have lost collars before.
Councillor David Turton asked of there are complaints in Minto about coyotes.
Wilson said the issue came up in Wellington North.
Anderson said if it is picked up by the county, then it would be picking up the tab.
Council supported a resolution that it supports in principle the county working with the MNR to implement a remuneration problem to eliminate problem coyotes, wolves or dogs.
