"Coyotes have always have been in the area."

Coyote stands

Myth of a breed: creatures dedicated to their territory

Editor, The Times:

Please drop the hysteria and don't shoot (or let anyone else shoot) the coyote! He/she has the right to live, just the same as the rest of us and our pets. If people are worried about their pets, they should watch over them more closely. ["Coyote won't be shot — yet," Times, Local News, Jan. 29.]

Every day, many pets are killed on our roads, but we don't ban cars any more than we shoot eagles just because they prey on the occasional cat or small dog.

This animal is a beautiful wild creature and has the right to exist. We should celebrate its presence, just like we did when the snow owl visited the park a few years ago.

Coyotes have always have been in the area. They were here long before our cats and dogs, and are spotted regularly in Discovery Park, Carkeek Park and along the rail corridor.

This coyote is probably more visible lately because of the cold weather and the fact that eradication of rabbits in the park has reduced its historic food source.

So everyone calm down, watch your pets, drop your fear and show some compassion. This city and its local governments pride themselves on being so "green," "sustainable," "low impact" and otherwise environmentally friendly. Now let's prove it and leave this poor animal alone.

— Joe Hicker, Magnolia (and not particularly proud of it right now)

Secondhand folk lure

I was pleased when I heard a coyote had moved into Discovery Park. More than a year ago, I complained to park employees about the domestic-rabbit problem in the meadows, and asked why they weren't mounting an eradication program, like they did at Woodland Park. I was told the city felt there were enough predators in Discovery Park to take care of the problem.

We need the coyote in the park.

From the media reports, the coyote appears to be behaving as though it found a food source near the historic houses on the bluff.

If the residents in Navy housing have pets, they shouldn't be running loose. Have the residents been feeding any feral cats near their property, or left garbage unsecured?

It's time for the city to acquire all the Navy property and let it revert to wild space. I'd contribute. Humans have options, critters don't.

— Mary Ann Kae, Ballard

Human transformation

This beautiful animal should not be punished by losing its life just because it's trying to eke out a life for itself in a park within the city. What is a park without wildlife? If there is one coyote, there are undoubtedly others. Shall we shoot them all?

I know there are those out there chomping at the bit to kill the pesky things. With this mentality, we will annihilate all the wild animals that share our space.

While we're at it, what was a pet cat doing in the park anyway? Responsible owners know that statistics show cats kept inside will have a life span of 12-plus years, while cats that are allowed outside can expect only a five-year life span.

At the very least, can't the coyote be tranquilized and relocated to another wooded area?

— Caryl Turner, Edmonds

Badger's guise

Coyotes live all over Seattle and cause no harm. They are urban wildlife, like raccoons and squirrels are.

This past week, the Navy has been trying to kill the coyote that recently moved into Discovery Park. That plan has been put on hold, and now what we need is public education.

Stop trying to make friends with the coyote. Do not feed it, approach it, try to reach out to it, talk to it, etc.

This coyote needs to learn to be more wary of people and pets (a fear it lost due to people trying to make friends with it.) If you see it, scare it off — run and scream at it, throw things at it (instead of standing and observing it on the back porch).

Enjoy watching it from 25 yards instead of 25 inches because, if it is not re-educated to be more fearful and wary of people, it will be killed.

— Julia Allen, DVM, Seattle

Husky fringe

Note the dark aspect

Regarding "Victory and ruins" [continuing special report, page one, Jan. 27 through Jan. 31]:

I am outraged.

I am revolted by the University of Washington football players who have become vile criminals, lowering the name of athletes and UW students everywhere.

I am shocked at the football coaches who are too concerned with their salaries to hold student athletes accountable.

I am disgusted by the prosecutors for violating my trust that they will do their jobs responsibly, regardless of media fallout.

I am angry at the contributors to the UW football department who support a billion-dollar industry over student academics.

But most of all, I am outraged that, as a 13-year-old student athlete, there is little I can do about the failure to hold criminals accountable. Except write letters, and hope I never meet a UW football player alone, in a dark alley at night.

— Lena Jaffe, Seattle

Fisher's log

Today we saw the forest

As someone who witnessed firsthand the return of the fisher to Olympic National Park, I agree it was a "cool" and "wow" experience ["Weasel-like fisher back in state after many decades," page one, Jan. 28]. Yet, the National Park Service's release of fishers to Olympic National Park is much more than just a "goose bump" event for those in attendance. Rather, the release marks a tangible commitment to restoring our parks for future generations.

If Washington's fisher population is to remain at viable levels, we must maintain a healthy park with clean air and water. A healthy park, in turn, benefits both wildlife and humans who live and play in and around the area.

The return of species like the fisher to Olympic National Park demonstrates America's promise to protect our national parks for our children.

— Sean Smith, Northwest regional director, National Parks Conservation Association, Seattle

Dog's toast

Here's to friends in need

Regarding "A beach town with Beowulf" [Travel & Outdoors, Jan. 24]: In saying that we are hypocrites when we eat four-legged mammals but not dogs, as other countries do, the answer for myself is clear as a bell: We are not hypocrites.

Dogs, our greatest companions, save us from fires, help the blind, conduct search-and-rescue, fend off burglars, assist police in K-9 units, help the disabled, protect people, grab toddlers from rooftops, etc.

They are loving and kind. They willingly die for people; cows and sheep don't.

All you have to do is Google "dog saves people" and that should give you a strong enough reason never to try eating a dog.

— Dolores Rogers, Seattle