I’m combining two thoughts here, but, with letter after letter about problems with coyotes, I have to put in my two cents worth.

In 2007, I had a huge problem with coyotes. I don’t live on the outskirts of the city; I live by the Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library. Now I know the library encompasses a lot of open area, but for several months coyotes appeared nightly on my ¾-acre property, often venturing right up to our back doors.

After making many phone calls and going through all the channels, I finally came to the conclusion that one suggestion, banging a spoon on a lid or a trash can lid, did the trick.

Now three years later, we have no front or back lawn, the shrubs are bare up to about 2 feet from the ground, and our property is a disgrace. Repairs will cost thousands.

Why? The coyotes have fled, and the rabbits have returned in huge numbers. My dogs are used to them, so is my cat. (They stayed away from the coyotes.)

My search now includes looking for plants that rabbits don’t like.

Which brings me to the second comment: Churches, nightlighted driving ranges, schools etc., don’t belong in open spaces.

Back to the coyotes: You send them and their food sources right into our backyards by taking away their space. We must live with the building mistakes that have been made, but don’t compound the mistakes by making them again.

The critters need to keep their homes so they don’t invade ours.

Perhaps we can find new uses for the empty strip malls in Ventura County.
Jan McKinney
Thousand Oak