Calif. city to allow shooting of coyotes

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LAGUNA WOODS, Calif., July 29 (UPI) -- A Southern California community has voted to allow professionals to shoot wild coyotes following an attack that injured a resident and left her dog dead.

The Laguna Woods City Council voted Thursday to authorize the city manager and police chief to issue permits to licensed exterminators, veterinarians or other animal-control professionals that will allow them to shoot coyotes, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The vote came amid an increase in coyote attacks in recent month against cats and dogs.

Karen Sherif, 64, was walking her Yorkshire terrier Tuesday when a coyote snatched the dog and ran off, dragging Sherif, who was holding the dog's leash, into the street.

She suffered cuts and bruises, officials said, and her dog was later found dead.

Under the scheme approved by the City Council, the hours and locations that shooting coyotes is allowed as well as the type of guns that can be used will be limited, City Manager Leslie Keane said.

Before the council vote only police officers could discharge a gun within city limits and then only in the line of duty, the Times reported.