Lakewood Coyote Trapper Allegedly Setting Snares Near Residents’ Homes; PETA Urges Investigation
For Immediate Release:
November 20, 2024
Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382
Today, PETA sent a letter to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Assistant Chief George Struble with evidence suggesting that the City of Lakewood’s contracted coyote trapping company, Animal Pest Management Services, Inc., set snare traps near dozens of private homes in possible violation of state law, which prohibits anyone from placing a trap within 150 yards of a residence without the landowner’s written consent. PETA is calling for an immediate investigation and requesting that any violations be referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution due to the city’s apparent conflict of interest.
The City of Lakewood contracted Animal Pest Management Services to indiscriminately trap and kill coyotes at the Lakewood Equestrian Center and surrounding areas. Aerial images show that over 98 percent of the requested service area—the grounds of the equestrian center and surrounding areas—is located within 150 yards of apparent residences, and a public records request showed no indication that Animal Pest Management Services or the City received written consent from nearby landowners. All available information—including Animal Pest Management Services’ “Trapping Service Agreement” with the city and the company’s website—strongly suggests that the company places snare traps on public land to trap coyotes before killing them.
“The City’s rash plan to massacre coyotes simply for existing isn’t just cruel and ineffective, it’s also apparently being carried out in flagrant violation of state law,” says PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. “PETA is calling for an immediate investigation and for Lakewood officials to drop these violent efforts to exterminate California’s ‘song dogs’ in favor of common-sense, nonlethal methods.”
Snare traps are wire loops that wrap around an animal’s neck and strangle them as they struggle. PETA notes that nearly 70% of snare traps don’t work as intended, as they can indiscriminately ensnare any animal—including dogs roaming off-leash. PETA warns that area residents’ dogs and cats may be at risk of being caught in these deadly snares. In addition to being cruel, snare traps and other lethal methods are ineffective since coyotes may move in from outlying areas as long as food sources remain available.
Earlier this year, PETA filed a petition for rulemaking calling for statewide regulations that would ban gassing coyotes to death and prohibit cities from contracting with private trappers who trap and kill the “song dogs” on public land. The petition was filed in response to Rancho Palos Verdes’ and Torrance’s contracts with a private trapper—Jimmie Rizzo of Coyote, Wildlife & Pest Solutions Inc.—who uses a gas chamber in the back of his truck to kill coyotes and repeatedly self-reported setting snare traps near dozens of homes. Charges against Rizzo are currently pending before the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
