Dear editor:

Ignoring whatever side Ms. Paige Seburn leans on the issue of her NOTL “coyote sightings” article in The Lake Report, the posturing of the Humane Society of Niagara and its senior manager, Cortnie Welychka, retains the consistent “company line” for such organizations whose data, not research, is singularly focused (“Too close for comfort: Residents encounter coyotes this summer,” July 24).

For one example, Ms. Welychka’s statement regarding the minimal danger of coyotes is obviously misleading. A school child would be aware of the obvious and serious danger of a coyote encounter, which is why the concern of many NOTL residents so easily challenges the credibility of Ms. Welychka’s statements in the first place.

Her statement and position smack of the ethics of some data collectors, substantiating the all-too-required criticism: “Lies, more lies and statistics.”

NOTL is a town where people live and come to visit. Expecting residents and visitors to comprehend why they should be put in danger by wild animals that are better suited to, wait for it, “the wild,” is as preposterous as not employing speed limits or stop signs on our public roads to manage driving in our town.

Much like one might ask: “Should we wait to deploy traffic controls until a death, or sufficient deaths occur to support their deployment?”

One might also ask: “Should we delay the removal of the town’s coyotes until enough pets are killed, or a sufficient transfer of rabies occurs, or a resident or resident’s grandchild is maimed or killed?”

Ms. Welychka’s attempt to thrust responsibilities onto NOTL residents is as ridiculous as the effectiveness of placing an after-the-fact 911 call regarding a sighting or an attack.

I would encourage the town to show some common sense and remove or cull every coyote on an ongoing basis to support our community’s safety and to prevent any further ridiculous discussion on this matter.

Mark Smith
Old Town