An animal protection group held a protest tonight outside of the Greenwood Village Police Department after officers shot and killed a coyote early this morning.
Police say the coyote was targeted because it has exhibited aggressive and menacing behavior.
The animal was killed in Monaco Park where two residents said coyotes attempted to attack their dogs as they walked them.
Lieutenant Joe Harvey of the Greenwood Village Police said police are also targeting the dead coyote’s possible mate, which the WildEarth Guardians animal protection organization has named Limpy.
Limpy has a foot or leg injury that causes it to limp.
When officers hazed both coyotes May 1, Harvey said, the more aggressive coyote showed little fear of humans and was protective of Limpy.
WildEarth has opposed Greenwood Village’s coyote control policy since its inception in February.
The four-part policy includes public education, enforcement of protective regulations such as leash laws, coyote hazing to instill fear of humans, and lethal removal as a last resort.
Five coyotes have been killed by police since Feb. 19, Harvey said.
Nicole Rosmarino, the wildlife program director for WildEarth Guardians, said the objective of tonight’s protest was to save Limpy’s life as well as all the other wild coyotes in Greenwood Village.
“There’s this dark cloud hanging over Limpy and we’re going to keep fighting to keep her alive — and hopefully get the city to quit this trigger-happy approach,” Rosmarino said.
Rosmarino said the injured Limpy may not be able to fend herself after the death of the possible mate. From personal encounters, Rosmarino said, she knows that Limpy is not aggressive toward humans.
Police are investigating a new report from a resident today that claimed two more coyotes in Monaco Park run with Limpy and her mate, Harvey said.
“It’s fairly common for coyotes to teach each other aggressive behavior,” Harvey said. “If the behavior continues, we will continue to enforce our lethal control policy.”
Anthony Bowe 303-954-1661 or abowe@denverpost.com
