A Seattle neighborhood is divided over a coyote pack that was recently killed.
According to USDA APHIS, someone asked for them to remove the coyotes. Other neighbors are horrified.
"It was howling. It was crying. It was moaning. It was horrible," Nancy Bagnulo said.
Early Tuesday morning, several people woke up to gunshots near the Talaris conference center in Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood.
Bozena Jakubik left her house to see what happened, noticing a white truck driving off. Daylight revealed more of what she'd heard overnight.
"I saw this huge stain of blood coming from the exit of her den," she said.
According to USDA, three coyotes were killed.
"Wildlife services received a request to assist in the management of several coyotes near the Laurelhurst neighborhood in Seattle. The coyotes had become increasingly aggressive toward people and pets in the area," Jeanine Neskey said.
The coyotes were killed on the Talaris conference center property. The center did not return phone calls asking for comment.
Neighbors said the coyote had pups, and by simply leaving her alone, they never had an issue.
"I'm bothered by the fact we weren't given the notice or chance to weigh in on this decision," Janice Sutter said.
According to USDA, someone requested their services. They worked for 3-nights, and used a call box, which is a device that mimics animal distress sounds and attracts coyotes.
"The thing that bothers me mostly is that they're baiting them. I just don't think that's right," Linn Blakeney said.
"I like the coyotes and it just makes me sick," David Barnes added.
Wildlife officials believe there are no more coyotes left in this spot, but neighbors worry there may be a pup remaining.
"I've seen him running frantically out on the property and calling and crying and looking for his family," Jakubik said.
Nancy Bagnulo and others say, they like living here because it's a little bit of wild in the heart of a city, and that means learning to live together.
"If not, there's not going to be any wildlife left. It's just going to be people. And who wants that, really?" Bagnulo said.
