Out in the woods, it's a daily detective mission for Chris Bocchino. "It keeps me on my toes," the owner of South Carolina Wildlife Control says. Trapping is not just his trade. It's a passion. You name it, he's caught it. "Squirrels, flying squirrels, skunks, raccoons, possums," he says. "Yeah, everything." The critter causing problems along Crestline Road In Greenville County are his favorite: coyotes. For Bocchino, the animals are a challenge. For neighbors here, there's a killer. "This is like a dinner menu for coyotes," says resident Ruth DeVorsey. "On this house, you can have this. That house you can have that."
Pets have been the primary target so far. One dog, a 15 year old sheltie, was recently killed. Another was attacked, but survived. According to Bocchino, the neighborhood is prime property for the animals. "They don't need much," he says. In fact, houses won't scare coyotes away. All they need is water, shelter and food to call a place home. "If your yorkshire terrier is out in the road not being watched and a coyote comes up, it doesn't see a yorkshire terrier, it sees lunch."
Bocchino says the safest and best way for residents to protect themselves is by trapping. He says, a metal foothold trap baited with food can catch coyotes in their tracks. The process could take weeks or months, but patience pays off. He recently caught five coyotes on a piece of land in Cherokee County, putting a huge dent in the problem there. He fears if residents don't do something soon along Crestline Road, their new neighbor will be there to stay. "It's only going to get worse."
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