County wants to keep coyote damage control

MONTEREY — In a resolution adopted Tuesday, the Highland County Board of Supervisors asked for reinstatement of and an increase to $200,000 Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services money for the Virginia Cooperative Coyote Damage Control Program. The money would be used to match federal money spent to control coyote predation.

Gov. Tim Kaine eliminated the damage program in his 2010 reduction plan.

The program was created in 1990 to counter the threat of livestock depredations by coyotes.

The board concluded, "The county has a serious problem with coyotes and that coyotes are a threat to the livestock industry."

Supervisor Robin Sullenberger said while coyote predation didn't appear to be a "significant or acknowledged problem with cattle here," it is a problem elsewhere in the state.

He added that there has been a "significant reduction in the number of sheep" in the county, which is directly attributable to coyote predation."

— James Jacenich