PITTSBURGH,None — Game commission officials said a Pittsburgh man didn't violate any regulations when he shot and killed a coyote inside the city limits.
Joe Martinelli Jr. said he killed the eastern coyote late Sunday night outside his home in the Mount Washington neighborhood. He said coyotes have been harassing pets in the area for about a month.
Martinelli, who is an avid hunter, said the coyote was stalking his German shepherd and that's when he grabbed his gun and shot it.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Tom Fazi said with few exceptions, the coyote hunting season never closes. And while Pittsburgh law prohibits hunting in city parks, it is permitted on private property.
Martinelli said he plans to have the coyote mounted.
Last month, a Channel 11 News viewer sent a picture of a coyote along McKnight Road near the Parkway North after it had apparently been hit by a car.
The state Game Commission said it's not clear how many coyotes live in the Pittsburgh area. But officials said the animals have been here for about 10 years.
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