St. Joseph pays for capture, relocation of coyotes

ST. JOSEPH -- City officials are hoping to have coyotes roaming near downtown trapped and released into the wild.

The Herald-Palladium of St. Joseph reports two coyotes were sighted last week.

A business called Awesome Critter Gitters is being paid $25 per day by the city.  Owner Jim Sheffield says he will release the coyotes onto private land once they are captured.

Sheffield says his company typically euthanizes captured coyotes.

Coyotes are considered nuisances in a number of urban areas across Michigan, although they are not generally considered a threat to humans. They do prey on smaller animals, including pets.

Grosse Pointe Shores officials have said coyotes that wander too close to the Detroit suburb may have to be shot.  Bloomfield Hills ordered rifles with scopes and silencers in recent years to kill coyotes.