Errors that make cats in TV vulnerable to coyote predation

[kittygilchrist]

Given that we have one pet owner who lost both of her Siamese cats from the lanai to marauding coyotes, it might be worth considering errors made.

1. Assume that your pets are safe because you are using common sense.

2. Avoid research regarding what coyotes are capable of scoping out, scaling, penetrating or digging through to get to your cats.

3. Trust what you are told by so called authorities who promote minimalist protection programs under the guise of "living with urban coyotes."

4. Fail to know your enemy with regard to the speed of kill. Do not watch...Coyotes no longer just home on the range, but also in St. Pete (http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/2015/08/16/coyotes-no-longer-just-home---range-but-also--st-petersburg/31832991/)

[graciegirl]

Given that we have one pet owner who lost both of her Siamese cats from the lanai to marauding coyotes, it might be worth considering how to not make the same errors.

1. Assume that your pets are safe because you are using common sense

2. Avoid research regarding what coyotes are capable of scaling or penetrating or digging through to get to your cats..




Here is my take away from all this discussion of coyotes and this is the conclusion I came to before I read that this person lost two cats.


We now allow our cats on the lanai only when we are present. We used to let them out all day, NEVER at night.


We have NEVER allowed our cats on the lanai at night, period. Nor would we feed them out there or put their litter box there because it might attract predators.


People all over the country are discussing predators and the only defense any of them have that I can see, as it is when raising children, is to use common sense and sometimes an over abundance of caution.


Protecting our children and our pets is our responsibility.

I am not sure what you want to happen, Kitty. I am confused. Do you think there should be further deed restrictions regarding pets? Do you think the district is responsible for a widespread trapping program? Do you think feeding birds and any wild animal should be a deed restriction?

Did you see on Wesh2 News last night where a bear killed a Morkie and hurt his owner yesterday in another part of Florida?

Apparently there is a coyote problem with pets all over this country. Is it worse, or is our communication better now with internet blogs?

[rubicon]

Given that we have one pet owner who lost both of her Siamese cats from the lanai to marauding coyotes, it might be worth considering how to not make the same errors.

Hi kittygilchrist: what's a pet owner to do? I mean how does one wrap a pet in a bubble in the bubble? Danger lurks everywhere

When I first moved here I said that I was not concerned about alligators because you could see them but snakes well that's a different conversation.

Well a few years back while attempting to retrieve my ball from a water filled depression in a side hill I came within an inch of touching a 7' (approx) gator on the head. Never saw it laying lengthwise in that depression...never

In my view this cat owner acted within reason. The cat needed fresh air, free frollicking , scenery what better place? People place many valuables on their lanai's furniture, TV's etc without concern. Its the natural thing to do.
How does one combat random and/or how far should one go? How do you reduce risk to zero?

Enjoy your posts immensely

Personal Best Regards:

[kittygilchrist]

Here is my take away from all this discussion of coyotes and this is the conclusion I came to before I read that this person lost two cats.


We now allow our cats on the lanai only when we are present. We used to let them out all day, NEVER at night.


We have NEVER allowed our cats on the lanai at night, period. Nor would we feed them out there or put their litter box there because it might attract predators.


People all over the country are discussing predators and the only defense any of them have that I can see, as it is when raising children, is to use common sense and sometimes an over abundance of caution.


Protecting our children and our pets is our responsibility.

I am not sure what you want to happen, Kitty. I am confused. Do you think there should be further deed restrictions regarding pets? Do you think the district is responsible for a widespread trapping program? Do you think feeding birds and any wild animal should be a deed restriction?

Did you see on Wesh2 News last night where a bear killed a Morkie and hurt his owner yesterday in another part of Florida?

Apparently there is a coyote problem with pets all over this country. Is it worse, or is our communication better now with internet blogs?

Commonsense used to mean that Kitty could take a sunbath without an escort.. In my opinion, the presence of coyotes means that the escort commonsense now dictates as necessary must be present and wary at all times, close enough to reach the animal within seconds, and armed with both an extreme noisemaker and an effective offensive weapon and plan to execute a save.

To what needs to happen, extensive research shows that the only effective program ever promulgated was a brieff duration of annihilation kill in Texas. The program document says "unfortunately the program was not continued"

[Villageswimmer]

It's sad that pet owners need to be hypervigilant. Would it be a difficult thing to resolve to keep the cat inside the house? I think one needs to weigh the stress involved, and if the risks in allowing the cat into the lanai create worry and fear, it's important to take care of yourself first. The cat will adjust.

Even a "hunt" as the one in TX would not likely eradicate every coyote in TV. The lone survivor could be in your backyard.

[kittygilchrist]

Hi kittygilchrist: what's a pet owner to do? I mean how does one wrap a pet in a bubble in the bubble? Danger lurks everywhere

When I first moved here I said that I was not concerned about alligators because you could see them but snakes well that's a different conversation.

Well a few years back while attempting to retrieve my ball from a water filled depression in a side hill I came within an inch of touching a 7' (approx) gator on the head. Never saw it laying lengthwise in that depression...never

In my view this cat owner acted within reason. The cat needed fresh air, free frollicking , scenery what better place? People place many valuables on their lanai's furniture, TV's etc without concern. Its the natural thing to do.
How does one combat random and/or how far should one go? How do you reduce risk to zero?

Enjoy your posts immensely

Personal Best Regards:

Mutual high regard for you, Rubicon!

I have rehomed my cat with his former owner Who rescued him from the woods when he was a kitten 19 years ago. Although Kitty may be allowed brief periods out of doors, there is a large cat loving dog on the rural property Who will be outside anytime Kitty needs a sunbath. Some risk is inevitable, but I have something of the heart and determination of a warrior to be constantly vigilant and prepared.
Whoever said Know your enemy is my hero.

[kittygilchrist]

It's sad that pet owners need to be hypervigilant. Would it be a difficult thing to resolve to keep the cat inside the house? I think one needs to weigh the stress involved, and if the risks in allowing the cat into the lanai create worry and fear, it's important to take care of yourself first. The cat will adjust.

Even a "hunt" as the one in TX would not likely eradicate every coyote in TV. The lone survivor could be in your backyard.

Hello my sweet friend! The hunt is out of the question, but I was asked what I thought would be effective so answered. your suggestion about the kitty being indoors is appreciated, but I have rehomed him in a way that I think he is where he needs to be.

[gap2415]

Does anyone know that we are suffering from an over abundance of coyotes? They certainly seem to be creating danger to our pets? If alligators become too big and start eating our pets, authorities quickly show up and get them. Is this the problem that seems to be happening here as we seem to have lots of sightings. If not contained, do we need to fear that if we turn our back for a few seconds our visiting toddler grandchildren might get attacked? The point is do we know and how do we find out. Apparently the local authorities are saying they are not willing to step in and trap them.
We live in Florida and many of us a long time prior to coming to TV but if a wild creature comes in numbers and begins to wreck havoc, something is done and we don't turn a blind eye. I'm not sure this is the case here but I can say that one night while we were out walking, something that sounded like a little dog was screaming for his life in the open field where there are aerial lines in Alhambra. Was this an isolated event? What do we need to do?

[kittygilchrist]

ODoes anyone know that we are suffering from an over abundance of coyotes? They certainly seem to be creating danger to our pets? If alligators become too big and start eating our pets, authorities quickly show up and get them. Is this the problem that seems to be happening here as we seem to have lots of sightings. If not contained, do we need to fear that if we turn our back for a few seconds our visiting toddler grandchildren might get attacked? The point is do we know and how do we find out. Apparently the local authorities are saying they are not willing to step in and trap them.
We live in Florida and many of us a long time prior to coming to TV but if a wild creature comes in numbers and begins to wreck havoc, something is done and we don't turn a blind eye. I'm not sure this is the case here but I can say that one night while we were out walking, something that sounded like a little dog was screaming for his life in the open field where there are aerial lines in Alhambra. Was this an isolated event? What do we need to do?

There is no containment and will be no containment. You absolutely do need to never turn your back. I'm going to post some very upsetting videos for education on the subject of children and coyotes.

Children bitten by coyotes always get rabies shots. I apologize for the graphic nature of these stories, but it is no time to avert our eyes from the truth.

3-year-old girl bitten by coyote in Irvine | abc7.com (http://abc7.com/pets/3-year-old-girl-bitten-by-coyote-in-irvine/737235/)

Coyote Bites, Drags 2-Year-Old Girl at Orange County Cemetery | NBC Southern California (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Coyote-Bites-Drags-Toddler-at-OC-Cemetery-216600781.html)

Man holding child bit by coyote in Groveland - Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston (http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/27773829/man-holding-child-bit-by-coyote)

[gap2415]

People here seem to equate bobcats that are plentiful and coyotes but coyotes are very different. Bobcats unless starving live harmoniously with people all over Florida. We saw them all the time and they never came into our screened areas. Coyotes climb walls, dig under fences, come in groups or as loners and so on. I grew up in a wilderness area and would prefer to see a bear or wolves because I could generally predict their behavior than coyotes.