Back in September, regional politicians approved a one-year pilot agreement -- subject to the region's lawyer giving it a final sign-off -- allowing qualified members of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters to hunt coyotes in the woodlot adjacent to the Niagara Road 12 landfill.

But Niagara Falls Coun. Barb Greenwood wanted the issue re-visited and conditions attached, such as Niagara Regional Police and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources guaranteeing the public -- some of whom use the woodlot for hiking despite no trespassing signs -- would be safe from flying bullets.

Grimsby Coun. Debbie Zimmerman agreed the September decision, which was done without debate, slipped by most councillors. "Quite frankly we missed the boat on this," she said.

During a marathon session on the issue at a Nov. 19 committee meeting, West Lincoln farmer Ken Durham said the coyotes must be hunted because they're killing livestock and are a threat to humans. Other animals such as skunks, raccoons and pheasants are also being killed off by coyotes, he said. "We must protect our farms and our livestock," he said.

One woman living near the landfill couldn't put her kids on the school bus recently because coyotes "were running loose in her yard," he said.

The fact hunters killed 63 coyotes in the area last year, up from 51 a year earlier, 39 the year before that and just 11 a year earlier is proof they're growing in number, Durham said.

But there is also stiff opposition to the hunt from people who say there's no scientific proof to support the argument that coyotes are a threat and are increasing in number.

Niagara-on-the-Lake veterinarian June Mergl said she's seen no documented proof that they're killing livestock or that they pose a threat by carrying mange, a serious skin condition. In fact, coyotes may actually be beneficial by keeping down the number of rats and field mice that can carry disease, she said.

Zimmerman also questioned the science behind the proposed hunt. "There's been a whole lot of anecdotal information presented today, (but) not a lot of science."

Lesley Sampson, with Niagara-based Coyote Watch Canada who has done 15 years of research on the predators, said there's no way the landfill could support a coyote population. Any attempt to hunt them in the woodlot would pose "an imminent risk of injury" to people from flying bullets, she said.

The idea for the hunt originated with local residents who are on a landfill citizens' liaison committee.

Port Colborne Mayor Vance Badawey said coyotes are hunted all over Niagara, and questioned why the region was even sticking its nose into the debate since the natural resources ministry licences hunters and local municipal bylaws cover the use of firearms.

Grimsby resident Jan Yates collected dozens of names for a petition against the proposed hunt, saying hunters use "cruel and archaic methods" to hunt coyotes such as packs of hounds to chase them until the coyotes are exhausted and then shot.

West Lincoln Mayor Katie Trombetta lamented the fact that her township council wasn't even consulted on the issue by the region.

In the end, the issue was sent back to regional staff for a new report.