posted May 20, 2008
City officials have given their blessing to Chattanooga residents who are ready to get out their shotguns in the battle against encroaching coyotes.
City Councilman Jack Benson told fellow council members on Tuesday that one East Brainerd resident with 10 acres is overrun with coyotes.
"They are all over his property on Jenkins Road and are coming up on his back yard. He has two shotguns and a .22, and he wants to know if it is OK to shoot them," Councilman Benson said.
Councilman Benson said the city "really has a problem with coyotes. They are encroaching everywhere, and they are even going downtown."
He said shooting might be the best method of attacking them since "you can't trap them and you certainly don't want to poison them."
City Attorney Randy Nelson said the city has not had an ordinance against firing a gun inside the city limits since the late 1970s or early 1980s. He said it was removed over fear that someone who committed a murder might quickly plead guilty to unlawfully firing a gun" and then avoid a murder charge by pleading double jeopardy.
Attorney Nelson said the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has the authority to grant hunting licences within the city.
He said, "Nothing precludes a person from shooting a gun within the city limits. Just be sure you know what you are shooting at and aim carefully."
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