But the bigger battle now might be raging on the public relations front, where Old West attitudes collide with New West sensitivities. Not for nothing did the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Damage Control program change its name last year. Last year, it eliminated 14,500 coyotes in Texas alone, more than in any other state. Its mission stirs passions. We believe they're not doing anything to service wildlife at all.
Critics say the agency brutalizes animals and wastes money in the process.
Public money is being spent to kill publicly owned wildlife . . Some have gone further to express their hostility. In June, arsonists destroyed two buildings near Olympia, Wash., that housed Wildlife Services research. The shadowy Animal Liberation Front took responsibility. Wildlife Services officials said studies at the labs dealt with nonlethal control of animals, such as the use of bear repellents.