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By Hal Scheurich

Published: Dec. 15, 2025 at 4:15 PM PST

SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The city of Spanish Fort has seen some success in its effort to trap and remove coyotes from one neighborhood. The city agreed to a contract with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in that effort after receiving many complaints about residents’ pets being killed or injured in coyote attacks.

Two coyotes were trapped and removed from Spanish Fort Estates in the first two weeks of November. It was early October when the city signed on with the USDA to combat a growing number of coyote attacks on pets.

The main problem area is on the west side of the subdivision where the neighborhood borders dense woods and a powerline. At that time, residents there told FOX10 News they were happy the problem was being addressed.

“People with small pets, especially cats have had them go missing and in fact, last year our neighbor, his cat was attacked in his front yard and unfortunately, he did not survive,” recalled Ginny Brewer while out walking her dog, Barnabas.

There was an initial delay in putting the traps out because of the federal government shutdown but the early success is a promising sign to some. Spanish Fort mayor, Brad Bass had not yet taken office when the decision was made to crack down on the varmints but supports the effort.

“It’s not their natural habitat but eventually they start creeping in on some space where obviously there’s folks living and residing and families and kids and pets and that kind of thing so I think this will go a long way at least in putting their minds at ease that at least something’s being done to help out in that regard,” said Bass.

Even with the positive results, some longtime residents, like Charles Ketell are skeptical of how effective the trapping can be. He’s concerned new, nuisance coyotes will move in as quick as others are trapped out or they’ll wise up to the traps and move on.

“I think you’re just going to make them more wary, and they may feel the pressure and move out just like other things, but I think it’s fairly a long shot,” Kettell said.

The traps were just put back out Monday morning, December 15, 2025 to start round two. Mayor Bass said while it’s too early to know for sure, the city maty consider ongoing trapping efforts in Spanish Fort Estates as well as other problem spots around town.