Not long ago, coyotes seemed to be a problem faced by other communities.  Today’s it’s a Sandy Springs problem.

“I’ve had many reports from residents who have had cats and small dogs killed by coyotes,” said Council member Chip Collins, during this week’s Council meeting. The probem is the coyotes aren’t just in one yard, it’s a city-wide problem."

It's also an expensive problem, Collins said. Still, at least 75 out of 100 residents in his community told the Councilman that they would consider trapping coyotes.

Have you spotted coyotes in your neighborhood? Tell us in the comments.

Experts say the animals are adaptable and move to new locations when they sense trappers, said Sandy Springs Police Chief Terry Sult. He had seen three coyotes in the last two weeks. 

Councilwoman Karen Meinzen McEnerny objects to the idea of killing coyotes or using city funds to trap them.

Councilwoman Diane Fries, whose Huntcliff neighbors have experienced coyotes, agreed but expressed concerned that small children playing outside are at risk.  

Her neighbors hired private trappers that did not appear to wound the coyotes, she said. “I’ve had two neighborhoods where their pets were taken off the front porch. It’s not just those you’ve got [to worry about now],” Fries added.  

Mayor Eva Galambos also supports citizens hiring trappers vs. the use of city funds to solve the problem. Worried for her cat, Galambos called trappers when coyotes appeared outside her home.

Addressing McEnerny’s concern, the Mayor said, “The trappers were not inhumane the coyotes were quite alive [when the were taken away.]”