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Reported Coyotes, Deer Attack At City Park

Peace and tranquillity is supposed to accompany going to your neighborhood park.

However, for recent visitors to Chadakoin Park in Jamestown, the frightening force of nature was on display as several coyotes successfully hunted a deer.

On Monday, Maria Jones, Ward 5 councilwoman, told the story someone shared with her about coyotes hunting a deer near Chadakoin Park. She said visitors to the park saw a deer run out of the woods with three coyotes running behind the animal. As two coyotes flanked the deer, the third circled in front and turned the deer back into the woods.

“It went out of sight for a minute or two and then (the deer) came blasting out of the woods again and there were three more coyotes behind it,” Jones said. “In all, they took this deer down in about five minutes in the park, and people stood there and watched this play out like they were watching Animal Planet or something. Of course, the coyotes dragged it off for dinner, I guess. It was pretty spectacular to hear that.”

Jones also said she was told how a city resident who lives around 18th Street has lost their dog and they blame coyotes for the disappearance.

Anthony Dolce, Ward 2 councilman, said last year the council discussed what can be done with coyotes in the city. He said they discussed the issue with Harry Snellings, Jamestown Police Department chief and city public safety director, and with officials from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Last year, Snellings told the council there have been coyote sightings in the city. He said if someone suspects their pet has been harmed or if they see a coyote they should call the police department at 483-7536. He added that he contacts the state DEC during reports of coyote sightings because the police department is not equipped to handle them.

Andrew Liuzzo, At-Large councilman, said when it comes to trying to curtail the number of deer in the city, that eight landowners in the area known as 9-J, which is outside of the city, have been approved for additional doe hunting permits. He said each hunter can have four additional doe tags, for a total of six, if they hunt on the approved property, which is outside of Jamestown. He said perhaps the additional doe tags will help reduce the local deer population, which could also reduce the coyote population in the city.

In May, a representative from the state DEC presented a report to the Jamestown City Council on deer management.

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