Coyote attacks on animals in Capitola prompts warning

The drought is being blamed for some unusual problems in Capitola. Police said coyotes are moving into the city looking for water and food and they’re attacking cats along the way.

Now police are issuing a warning for pet owners, advising people to keep their small pets indoors at night, especially in neighborhoods that back up against the woods.

When the sun sets, it’s “cat lockdown” inside the Horrow home.

“We prefer to have Marky, our cat, on lockdown, where he can’t go out. And sometimes that’s argumentative with him,” resident Virginia Horrow said.

With the Soquel Creek practically in her backyard, Horrow said she’s used to living with wildlife. But she was surprised to learn Capitola Police are echoing her own precautions. Over the last few weeks, police said they’ve dealt with at least four cats brutally killed by coyotes.

“Very apparent based on what we’ve discovered this is something from another wild animal,” Chief Rudy Escalate said.

Police said they know coyotes are the culprits because of evidence of a fight, and fur left behind. They said they’re coming into the city, looking for food and water because of the drought. Police said the coyotes are especially drawn to the Soquel River, where a mountain lion was spotted just a few years ago.

Horrow doesn’t blame the wild animals, or the coyotes.

“You can’t blame them, they’re just trying to survive,” Horrow said.

But she also knows the attacks are preventable. That’s why the community is recommending residents keep pets inside at night. Police also advise pet owners to keep their food and water indoors, because the coyotes are attracted to that as well. They add they’re mostly spotted around dawn and dusk.