The thread seems to have gone a little off track. Initially, the question concerned the dichotomy between the VCDD answer supplied by Dave Burgess, Assistant Director of Property Management and Sam Wartinbee, Director of Property Management.
Both responses were true and factual but both were slightly incomplete.
Mr. Burgess was correct in that VCDD can, and has in the past, and may presently have hired, trappers for coyotes. What he failed to mention is that these trappers can only trap on district property like the wetlands areas, wildlife preserve areas, etc., where the general public in not supposed to go The District has no right, no authority, and probably a lot of liability, if they placed dangerous steel traps on private property like your yard or lanai. As a homeowner, that is up to you to do. Same restrictions apply to the District when trapping on public property (postal stations, roadway mediums, around rec centers, golf courses, etc.) where the public is allowed access – dangerous to place traps where they might injure people or pets so it won’t be done.
Mr. Wartinbee was correct when he pointed out that Fish and Wildlife won’t do anything about coyotes in your yard. That is up to you, the homeowner. He was also correct in that the District does have an obligation to protect endangered species threatened by coyotes in our wetlands and preserves. He just did not explain the when/where/and how the District will arrange for that trapping, should they determine it is necessary in those untamed areas of The Villages.
Bottom line, both responses delivered the same message using a different approach. That message is “Coyotes are here. The District will meet its legal obligations to protect endangered species in wetlands and preserves. Your property is your concern. Deal with it.”
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