OPEN LETTER TO LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL:Open letter to the Loyalton City Council,I firmly believe it is time for the City Council to step up to the plate about people keeping fowl or other non-indigenous pets other than dogs or cats at their homes or on their property given the current crises with the wolves in Sierra Valley. Wolves are not domesticated animals, and these wolves are unlike any wolves the ranchers or the valley inhabitants have encountered. At the time of writing this, over 75 livestock have been killed, mostly for food and it has been noted some wolves have killed for sport, but mostly food. The City of Loyalton is already aware what took place last year, a family having experienced a dog taken from their front porch to another animal being killed by wildlife at another home. From Sierra Brooks, wolve have been noted actively looking for food all across Sierra Valley these wolves are doing what comes naturally, killing. Down the street just a few months ago at Jim Gunures old home next to Jim & Tracy Smiths house a mountain lion's picture was taken. I'm not concerned about the bears using my backyard as an interstate to Smithneck Creek, been putting up with them for years, only two as of this date for the year, but with fall is coming and that traffic will increase, usually does, being wild creatures at best. They are fatting up for the winter and can be seen roaming around. Common sense dictates as a residential community is not a ranch or farm. Keeping fowl or other farm animals within the city limits is like chumming for wildlife and asking for trouble. I'm not an alarmist, but being vigilant with the wolf crises going on is something the City Council has to take into consideration given the population of youth, seniors and the general public as to their safety within the City of Loyalton. Once those cattle have been returned to their winter grazing, the wolves immediate food chain will have been broken, since these wolves are not intimidated by people, the obvious next step is for the wolves to move into our communities looking for their next meal, it wont be my dog or cat, as I will take the necessary steps to ensure that their safety. Michael H. Welbourn Loyalton, CA “I once knew a man who said, I believe it's better to tell the truth than to lie, I believe it's better to know than to be ignorant, I believe it's better to be free than a slave.” William F. Halsey, Fleet Admiral USN Submitted: 09/24/25 Article By: Sierra Booster |