Only 2 coyotes caught in Regina this year: city pest control

Catching coyotes in Regina can be almost as tricky as hunting the road runner.

Only two coyotes were caught this year — both in the spring — according to Russell Eirich, the city’s manager of pest control.

“If it is just moving around, then usually by the time we’re out there it’s moved away and it’s no longer to be found but if it is in a yard or something, that really makes it easier for us,” he told the CJME Morning Show.

He noted most calls are to properties close to the open prairie on the edge of the city. In those cases, they try to drive the coyote farther outside the city.

“If they do wander into town and they get themselves a little bit lost and sometimes they get themselves trapped, then it’s easy for us to catch them and we take them for a really long drive out into the Qu’Appelle Valley and let them go out there.”

Eirich said the city will destroy the animal if it is diseased because that’s more humane.

As scavengers, coyotes will root through open garbage looking for an easy meal.

“Their primary food sources though are mice and rats and rabbits, so they actually do have some benefit to us. But if you’ve got a small dog or a small cat, again it’s all about size, so they’re going to go after what’s small.”

Eirich encourages people to call Service Regina (306-777-7000) if they do see coyotes wandering around the city.