Coyote traps injured two dogs in a Johnson County park. Here’s how the city responded

Mission Hills removed four coyote traps it had placed in a public park after two dogs were injured this week, according to city officials.

The dogs were injured on Monday in Peetwood Park, when they were caught in the traps that had been set up after complaints about coyotes, according to a statement provided by Mission Hills City Administrator Jennifer Lee.

Animal control workers were called to the park, arriving about 20 minutes later to release the dogs from the traps.

The dogs were taken to a veterinarian for treatment of their injuries — wounds where the trap clamped down were cleaned and their teeth were evaluated after they bit down and tried to free themselves from the trap.

The city said the dogs were off-leash when they became trapped.

Mission Hills officials said they placed the traps in the park because they had received complaints in the past year and a half about coyotes that have killed or injured pets and followed walkers. They consulted with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and began trapping aggressive coyotes.

Two coyotes have been removed from private property in the past year and were euthanized, Lee said.

In accordance with city ordinance, five signs were posted around the trapping location in Peetwood Park on Jan. 26, one week before setting the traps. Residents in the area were also mailed notices. The traps were in an unmaintained area of the park which is generally accessible from one direction, Lee said.

The signs and traps were removed after the dogs were injured. The mayor and city council will discuss the next steps at their next meeting on Feb. 13.

Heidi Markle, a spokeswoman for Kansas City’s Parks and Recreation Department, said she was not aware of any coyote trapping in Kansas City.

This story was originally published February 9, 2023 at 5:39 PM.