Tiverton coyote hunter defends his actions

By: Samantha Lavien
Slavien@abc6.com
Twitter: @samanthalavien

The hunter who wants to help rid Tiverton of its coyote problem say’s he’s received loads of criticism for offering to kill the animals.

He is defending his actions saying the killing is legal and he is within his rights.

“I’ve been accused of being a crazy gun-toting whatever. But, I’ve been hunting since I was 9 years old and this is how we are going to do it, said Randy Lebeau. “Now all of the sudden, I’m the bad guy because I want to go help these people.”

Lebeau says he offered to kill the animals after neighbors came to him for help.

“A couple of lady’s came in who had their dogs, pets, cats killed by the coyotes. They came in to buy weapons and I offered to go down because I’m a hunter,” said Lebeau.

Among those voicing their opposition, the Rhode Island based animal rights group Defenders of Animals.

“If you kill the group of coyotes that are in that area they will only be replaced with another group if coyotes that’s how they are,” said Defender of Animals Director Dennis Tabella. “It’s not the solution. It’s definitely not the solution.”

The group sent a scathing letter criticizing the DEM for their handling of the situation.

DEM officials tell ABC 6 News that they have not lent their support or permission to Lebeau.

The organization says the Tiverton hunter is legally allowed to hunt coyotes on private property as long as he has the proper license and written approval from the land owner.

“My plan is just to try to thin out the pack that is on Michael Lane in Tiverton and we’re going to get down there and just do it by the law, legally,” said Lebeau.

As a side, the DEM has only received one formal complaint about the coyote issue.

Lebeau says he hasn’t killed any coyotes yet, but he has begun to stake out the land where he will hunt them.

© WLNE-TV 2014