[quote=ucodegen][quote=bearishgurl]These unwise choices have caused the coyote population living out there to run scared into town. By the time they are able to successfully sprint into my (urban) area 9-10 miles west (near SD Bay), they are emaciated, thirsty and starving. Several small pets of my neighbors have been killed while in their front yards … even tied up (one small dog was killed right in front of its owner)! I’ve helped their distraught owners transport and bury three of these pet bodies where there was just basically eyes, spine and a few entrials left, if that. It’s really sad that Big Development has been allowed to essentially destroy the habitat of these wild animals only to add to the headaches and congestion of the area with overbuilding.[/quote] While Big Development may contribute to the problem, homeowners have also contributed as well as the legislature. Dog food dishes left outside overnight with food in it, uncontrolled trash, leaving little dogs/cats outside overnight (little dog = Chicken McNugget to a coyote). The other problem is that people like to see deer and try to entice them closer to their property. The coyotes follow the deer as well as other wild animals. The final thing that has contributed is that coyotes no longer fear man – in part due to laws now in place. We are not legally allowed to take action against coyotes on or around our property (as if coyotes don’t learn and adapt).[/quote]Yes, uco, one of my neighbors who lost their beloved cat to a coyote had cat food sitting out on their front porch for years …. but no more.
My point was that City should have stuck it to Big Development with a requirement for a years-long, invasive EIR BEFORE issuing subdivision permits for this HUGE swath of former “open space” which is literally backed right up to the mountains and countryside of SE SD County. The results of this would have surely caused them to severely downscale or reject outright the vast majority of Big D’s plans. We as urban dwellers of SAME CITY (8.5 to 12 miles away from this sorry a$$ over-development) should NOT have to suffer the ill effects of this poorly-planned debacle since we have not chosen to relocate there.
Instead, our (former) Council chose to roll around in the sheets with Big Development for YEARS all the while with stars in their eyes and dreaming of a massive increase in property tax coffers. Their successors, now forced to sleep in that same bed, know exactly how well that worked out for them … and how it affected the service levels of ALL city residents, since they now have LESS employees at this VERY late date to serve MORE residents :=0
In fact, City had no business whatsoever annexing county land to begin with into what is now 91914 and 91915. It heavily impacted the quality of life for existing residents to their detriment.
Ahhh, yes, back in 1982, the CA Legislature sanctioned our Council and Big D to share the same bed, blankets, sheets and pillows in the form of:
I’ve posted here before that Sen. Henry Mello has to be rolling in his grave with disgust and disbelief of how his signature MR Act has been used and abused by CA counties and municipalities over the years as a vehicle to destroy every inch of open space wild animal habitat even remotely “close” (1-3 hours away) from job centers!
In our case, these wild, starving coyotes have had to traverse 9 miles or more over/under 2-3 FREEWAYS, as well as thru large culverts and drainage canals (both dirt and concrete) to end up sprinting emaciated into downtown Chula Vista in “attack-mode search” of a random small dog or cat to “snack on” for their very survival.
My area was first developed 80-90 years ago and we’re not in a fire zone or on the edge of development in any way, shape or form. Unlike new-construction buyers, we urban residents didn’t sign up for this (or “deer watching”) and don’t deserve our security and peaceful existence compromised in this fashion. I have small pet(s) and it’s a frightening thought that my dog could be fatally attacked in a split second while walking on a leash next to me.
I’m glad to see that Big D has finally seen fit to leave town but the damage is already done. None of this had to happen and we have only our corrupt (former) leadership to thank for it (most of whom are now undoubtedly collecting public pensions, if qualified).
