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Albuquerque, NM (KOAT) — Dozens of dead coyotes were left on a dirt road in Valencia County. The bodies have since been cleaned up, but photos show the disturbing images. Bones, skeletons and a paw remain at the site.
“It is disturbing,” said Jesse Deubel, the executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.
“Wildlife can only be taken for a legitimate use,” said Deubel.
He also said images like the piles of coyotes give legitimate hunters a bad reputation.
“They might say, ‘Wow, hunters are horrible people. Hunters are wasteful. Hunters don’t value wildlife,’” said Deubel.
There is a bill on the governor’s desk right now that would ban coyote killing contests. People could still kill the animals, but not in an organized event for prizes or pure entertainment. Legislators from the more rural parts of the state said that should be left up to the counties.
“Allow local jurisdiction to have the control necessary for the people that live in those districts,” said Sen. Cliff Pirtle.
Pirtle is a farmer from Roswell. He said rural areas have different needs than urban ones. Many rely on coyote killings to control the population and protect their livestock. He is asking the governor not to sign the bill.
“it would be a great point for her not to sign it and say, ‘I’m going to leave this up to the county and the municipalities of rural New Mexico to make up their own mind,’” said Pirtle.
The governor is expected to sign the bill but there is no date set yet.
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