Coyote sightings spread fear, anger in Bellevue
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BELLEVUE, Wash. - Fear and anger are spreading among Bellevue residents, who say they've watched coyotes attacking pets and are now afraid children might be next.
Residents in the area insist they're seeing coyotes all the time.
"I heard a blood-curdling scream from a cat," said Andrea Eastman, who witnessed a coyote attack.
Eastman says the attack took place at night, right in front of her house and close enough for her to see. She says it's an image she can't shake.
"Two coyotes tearing apart a small white cat, and tearing it apart and dragging it away," she said. "It was horrible."
Eastman's neighbor, Margaret Stoffel now fears the worst for her missing cats.
"It could have been one of mine. My cats have been missing for two weeks," she said. "And I'm afraid the coyotes got them."
The residents are upset about the attack and about other missing cats in the neighborhood. They're also upset about what could happen to little kids.
"And our main concern is that they will come after small children," Eastman said.
State wildlife agents are aware coyote sightings have increased in urban area asnew developments close the gap between coyotes and people.
It's a change you don't have to tell Eastman about. She says she sees coyotes much more frequently nowadays in Bellevue.
And now, after witnessing the grisly attack on the cat and seeing for herself the potential danger the coyotes pose to children, Eastman and other residents are calling for authorities to handle what they call a dangerous threat.
"The coyotes need to be euthanized and they need to be dealt with," Eastman said.
The issue is on the agenda for Bellevue City Council's scheduled meeting next week.
Residents in the area insist they're seeing coyotes all the time.
"I heard a blood-curdling scream from a cat," said Andrea Eastman, who witnessed a coyote attack.
Eastman says the attack took place at night, right in front of her house and close enough for her to see. She says it's an image she can't shake.
"Two coyotes tearing apart a small white cat, and tearing it apart and dragging it away," she said. "It was horrible."
Eastman's neighbor, Margaret Stoffel now fears the worst for her missing cats.
"It could have been one of mine. My cats have been missing for two weeks," she said. "And I'm afraid the coyotes got them."
The residents are upset about the attack and about other missing cats in the neighborhood. They're also upset about what could happen to little kids.
"And our main concern is that they will come after small children," Eastman said.
State wildlife agents are aware coyote sightings have increased in urban area asnew developments close the gap between coyotes and people.
It's a change you don't have to tell Eastman about. She says she sees coyotes much more frequently nowadays in Bellevue.
And now, after witnessing the grisly attack on the cat and seeing for herself the potential danger the coyotes pose to children, Eastman and other residents are calling for authorities to handle what they call a dangerous threat.
"The coyotes need to be euthanized and they need to be dealt with," Eastman said.
The issue is on the agenda for Bellevue City Council's scheduled meeting next week.
