Wildlife agents kill aggressive coyote in Seattle

Wildlife agents have killed a coyote that was threatening people and pets in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, a state official said.

A large male was caught in a leg trap early Friday in a greenbelt near the Interbay golf course, according to State Fish and Wildlife Department Capt. Bill Hebner. The coyote was killed by a U.S. Department of Agriculture agent who has been working with a state wildlife officer.

Hebner said agents are certain it's one of a pair of coyotes - a male and female - that had been fed, either intentionally or unintentionally, and lost their fear of people.

The 3-or-4-year-old 40-pound male with a full, fluffy coat, matched the description of a coyote in the neighborhood. Earlier this month a coyote grabbed a small dog and nearly killed it. The coyotes would stand their ground when people tried to scare them away.

"It fits the description. We have a high degree of certainty we caught the offending animal," Hebner said. "It was in very healthy condition, obviously well-nourished."

Most coyotes weigh 25-to-35 pounds.

Tissue is being tested for rabies and other possible disease.

With the male dead, Hebner said, agents will give the female a chance to return to natural ways.

"We hope the female will resort to more instinctive behavior and regain her fear of humans," Hebner said. But if she continues to threaten people, she also will be trapped and killed, he said.

A number of coyotes live in the area, which includes nearby Discovery Park. Hebner said they become a problem when people feed them because they look hungry, or leave pet food or garbage outside where it can be reached.

"Food conditioning results in a death sentence for the animal," Hebner said. "We can live with the animals if we learn not to feed them."