Coyote

[Golfingnut]

Just took my dog out to the front yard to P as usual this time of morning. A full grown healthy coyote was across the street between two of my neighbors houses approx 100 feet away. He walked about 5 feet forward into the yard between the two and into better light and I was sure then it was not a dog, but a full grown coyote, so I picked my 6 lbs dog up. He then walked across the yard right in front of that house and between that and the next house to my right and off into the darkness at a walk. He did not appear to look directly at me, but I have no doubt he knew we were there. I have been around them all my life, but that was the first time so close without the coyote being startled away.

[Parker]

I know they're out there as we've occasionally seen them across the street from us in very early morning. Have they been known to attack around here?

[Golfingnut]

I know they're out there as we've occasionally seen them across the street from us in very early morning. Have they been known to attack around here?

Coyotes are fearful of humans and I have never heard of one attacking an adult human anywhere, ever. They are very opportunistic and nervous but will dash up close to a human to carry off a small pet. Coyotes in The Villages are less likely to be afraid of humans than those is more wild and remote areas, but still it would be very unlikely to attack an adult.

[Parker]

Yikes! Have they carried off small pets here in The Villages? And are they around all year?

[senior citizen]

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[KatieDidNot]

Coyotes will rarely confront humans, especially a lone coyote. Coyotes in packs (3 or more) however are a bit braver and you should quietly leave the area and they will go about their business. Coyotes will eat cats and small dogs, however, if your dog is on a leash and you are present, a lone coyote would rarely confront you. If your dog is running around on its own, then yes, a coyote will grab it. However, it is prudent to take your little dog inside until the coyote leaves the area..I always do with my little dog.

Coyotes are attracted to pet food, even if it is in a screened lanai and birdseed. They will not go through the screen, However, they will be attracted to the scent.

As we get more populated, and the coyotes become more populated and forced out of their natural habitats, we will start seeing more and more of this, and we will learn to co-exist.

IMHO, coyotes and gators are not scary. Waking up with a mountain lion or grizzly bear in your back yard is scary, which is something I have had the pleasure of experiencing. It was not only my little dog who had to "go potty".

Katie

[Golfingnut]

While enjoying our Lifestyle Visit on Merryweather Way in Creekside Landing, we spotted a large coyote near the back white picket fence......walking slowly with his head down. We do know what coyotes look like. This was not a dog. So, they are out there. Is there any type of animal control officers or whatnot? Sometimes people in our neighborhood here get a black bear down into their backyard,plus other assorted critters........so they call animal control. We've even had moose come down into town. When friends of ours lived at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, there would be "warnings" to "keep your children in the house as coyotes have been spotted"...........just saying.

Coyote attacks on adult humans is very very rare, but be sure, they will take a small child or pet when the opportunity come up. I have attached a link to an accurate assessment of these animals.

Coyote Attacks On People in the U.S. and Canada (http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/coyote_attacks.html)

[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[KatieDidNot]

Federal Marshals Hunt for Escaped Ariz. Inmates in Yellowstone Park | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/08/07/escaped-arizona-inmates-linked-murder-new-mexico-couple/)

Sometimes it isn’t just critters that are scary to behold.......or ponder....

Our daughter, son in law and three grandchildren were camping in Yellowstone National Park during the timeframe listed above.

Cut off from the outside world, they had absolutely no knowledge that these escaped convicts were on the loose there.

That is until they came back down from Montana and Wyoming back to Colorado and we told them..........

Put into that perspective, a coyote in our backyard at The Villages isn't half as scary as the potential for escaped convicts in Yellowstone National Park.......who had committed a gruesome murder.

Now, that is the true definition of scary. I would have been having fits if my babies were around something like that. I am so glad yours made it home safe and sound.

Katie

[Marigold]

Coyote Attacks on Children (http://www.varmintal.com/attac.htm)
I lived in Middletown, New Jersey where two children were attacked as well as pets. Coyotes can attack adults.

[Golfingnut]

Coyote Attacks on Children (http://www.varmintal.com/attac.htm)
I lived in Middletown, New Jersey where two children were attacked as well as pets. Coyotes can attack adults.

Your right, that coyotes can attack adults, but they don't.

[oldyeller]

Just took my dog out to the front yard to P as usual this time of morning. A full grown healthy coyote was across the street between two of my neighbors houses approx 100 feet away. He walked about 5 feet forward into the yard between the two and into better light and I was sure then it was not a dog, but a full grown coyote, so I picked my 6 lbs dog up. He then walked across the yard right in front of that house and between that and the next house to my right and off into the darkness at a walk. He did not appear to look directly at me, but I have no doubt he knew we were there. I have been around them all my life, but that was the first time so close without the coyote being startled away.

What Village?

[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[keithwand]

We have heard them howling in the distance a few times near Bonifay.
Once in Harbor Springs, MI a coyote was tracking us as we were walking our 2 small dogs.
We changed course and headed home.

[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[senior citizen]

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[buggyone]

Why is it surprising that a coyote would run up and grab a small dog as a snack? I would advise if you see a coyote like Lou did, do what he did and pick up your dog and head home.

No worries about panthers or bears in The Villages, of course.

The bigger concern than coyotes for your grandchildren are the pygmy rattlesnakes, brown recluse spiders, and fire ants. Lots more of those in The Villages than coyotes!

[justjim]

So the Black Bear photo that was suppose to be taken in the Village of Winfred was a hoax??

[tucson]

I saw a coyote in Hemingway near Havana CC walking across the front lawns at 2P, also a Bobcat going thru my trash bag right after I put it out near St Charles in Poinciana. There's also bears that come out in TV.

[tucson]

So the Black Bear photo that was suppose to be taken in the Village of Winfred was a hoax??

No. I don't think it was a hoax, I do know for a fact (it WAS in the paper) that a bear was going thru the dumpster at Allamanda Rec Ctr. at night, the Animal Control came out, said it was from Ocala Nat. Forest and that they can smell food for miles. Watch out about throughing left-overs in your trash !

[tucson]

Why is it surprising that a coyote would run up and grab a small dog as a snack? I would advise if you see a coyote like Lou did, do what he did and pick up your dog and head home.

No worries about panthers or bears in The Villages, of course.

The bigger concern than coyotes for your grandchildren are the pygmy rattlesnakes, brown recluse spiders, and fire ants. Lots more of those in The Villages than coyotes!

Bears have been seen in TV fyi...

[Barefoot]

Tying pets outside, or leaving them unsupervised, is a really bad idea! There is lots of wildlife in TV. I saw a coyote a month ago on the Churchill Greens Golf Course around 7 AM.

[TraceyMooreRN]

A few weeks ago my husband and I were travelling back from Brownwood on Buena Vista and had just passed the Pinella's place crossing on the golf cart path and a large coyote crossed in front of our golf cart. I had to take two looks--but it certainly was a coyote- it was light outside-but almost dusk. I was a bit afraid--my husband assured me "Coyote's don't chase single women in golf carts"....lol! However- I will be keeping a close eye on my Yorkie and Maltese--I do let them out in our yard (newest Gilchrist section) off a leash-but they never go more than about 10 feet from me on my own property. I'm going to have an electrician add more lighting to the exterior of the home so I can see a bit farther around the landscape.

[buggyone]

Quote:
Originally Posted by buggyone

No worries about panthers or bears in The Villages, of course.

The bigger concern than coyotes for your grandchildren are the pygmy rattlesnakes, brown recluse spiders, and fire ants. Lots more of those in The Villages than coyotes!
______________

Bears have been seen in TV fyi...
________________

I guess you did not notice I said that there are NO WORRIES about bears in The Villages. I suppose if you were rooting around in a Dumpster yourself and a bear was in the Dumpster also, there might be a worry. You most likely will never see a bear in The Villages so that is why I said NO WORRIES about bears in The Villages. Even if you would see one, there is no concern unless you are blocking the bear from cubs or from escape.

However it is quite likely you will ENCOUNTER a pygmy rattlesnake, brown recluse spider, or fire ants in The Villages.

[buggyone]

"However- I will be keeping a close eye on my Yorkie and Maltese--I do let them out in our yard (newest Gilchrist section) off a leash-but they never go more than about 10 feet from me on my own property."

Definitely a bad idea. First, it is against Villages rules to have a dog off a leash (yes, exceptions being in a CYV or a yard with invisible fence), and second that a coyote (especially in a new area) can run in and snatch one before you could even know what happened.

[Golfingnut]

"However- I will be keeping a close eye on my Yorkie and Maltese--I do let them out in our yard (newest Gilchrist section) off a leash-but they never go more than about 10 feet from me on my own property."

Definitely a bad idea. First, it is against Villages rules to have a dog off a leash (yes, exceptions being in a CYV or a yard with invisible fence), and second that a coyote (especially in a new area) can run in and snatch one before you could even know what happened.

I do the same with our 17 year old Poodle mix. He has never had a leash as the first 14 years he has been contained in a fenced back yard. I also will stand even closer now than in the past. A coyote can slip out of the dark, grab a pet and be gone in just a few seconds. But even with that, I must think of the mental status of our little guy as a leash at this late date would confuse him so much it may be as dangerous to his health as the Coyote.:shrug:

[eremite06]

"However- I will be keeping a close eye on my Yorkie and Maltese--I do let them out in our yard (newest Gilchrist section) off a leash-but they never go more than about 10 feet from me on my own property."

Definitely a bad idea. First, it is against Villages rules to have a dog off a leash (yes, exceptions being in a CYV or a yard with invisible fence), and second that a coyote (especially in a new area) can run in and snatch one before you could even know what happened.

I do the same with our 17 year old Poodle mix. He has never had a leash as the first 14 years he has been contained in a fenced back yard. I also will stand even closer now than in the past. A coyote can slip out of the dark, grab a pet and be gone in just a few seconds. But even with that, I must think of the mental status of our little guy as a leash at this late date would confuse him so much it may be as dangerous to his health as the Coyote.:shrug:

Congratulations. You two are responsible dog owners!!!!:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[BobnBev]

I do the same with our 17 year old Poodle mix. He has never had a leash as the first 14 years he has been contained in a fenced back yard. I also will stand even closer now than in the past. A coyote can slip out of the dark, grab a pet and be gone in just a few seconds. But even with that, I must think of the mental status of our little guy as a leash at this late date would confuse him so much it may be as dangerous to his health as the Coyote.:shrug:

And what do you think a coyote attack would do to his mental health?

[tommy steam]

Coyote attacks on adult humans is very very rare, but be sure, they will take a small child or pet when the opportunity come up. I have attached a link to an accurate assessment of these animals.

Coyote Attacks On People in the U.S. and Canada (http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/coyote_attacks.html)

I do agree with you, key word here is rare. If walking my dog I'd make sure it was on a short leash just in case a coyote was lurking around . I know there are coyotes in Sanabel , where I live

[Barefoot]

"However- I will be keeping a close eye on my Yorkie and Maltese--I do let them out in our yard (newest Gilchrist section) off a leash-but they never go more than about 10 feet from me on my own property."

Definitely a bad idea. First, it is against Villages rules to have a dog off a leash (yes, exceptions being in a CYV or a yard with invisible fence), and second that a coyote (especially in a new area) can run in and snatch one before you could even know what happened.

And sadly, in the past small dogs have been snatched so quickly that their owners were powerless. Please be careful.

[Hopeful2]

Kindly clarify if you can .... Has it been confirmed that small dogs in The Villages have been attacked by coyotes.. . or just that dogs have been attacked by coyotes (in other places)?
I'm concerned about my small dog, although he never goes outside without a leash.

Thank you!

[Barefoot]

Kindly clarify if you can .... Has it been confirmed that small dogs in The Villages have been attacked by coyotes.. . or just that dogs have been attacked by coyotes (in other places)?
I'm concerned about my small dog, although he never goes outside without a leash. Thank you!

There was a reported incident of an unleashed dog being grabbed by a coyote. I think it was a little Maltese. We were told that even though the owner was handy, she couldn't react quickly enough. I don't think anyone would make up such a horrible story.

I have seen coyotes in back of our TV house more than once. Coyotes anywhere will grab small pets if they're hungry. I'd suggest it would be wise to never tie a pet outside unless you're close by.

[Mimivillager]

There was a nanny goat on the farm behind us in Amelia and the coyote got her. We always enjoyed watching her. We here them howling at night.

[Golfingnut]

And what do you think a coyote attack would do to his mental health?

Nothing, as he would die quickly where the leash would cause confusion bringing on a slow but definite passing due to severe anxiety and depression.

:girlneener:

[gomoho]

Please stop beating up people that love their dogs and make decisions they feel best for them even if you disagree. And is is not against the law to have your dog off leash in their own yard. Outside the yard is a different story.

We all have to make choices based on what we think is best - fine if you choose to do something differently - to each his own as long as it's not affecting you.

[TVMayor]

Coyote kills Chihuahua as owner walks dog
http://www.trbimg.com/img-51806c73/turbine/os-coyote-kills-chihuahua-20130430-001/468/468x294
Every morning before the sun rose, Cecilia Lincoln took her male Chihuahua, Zuki, for a stroll around their yard in WillowWood, a neighborhood in southwest Orange County.

The little dog rarely strayed beyond reach, so Lincoln didn't use a leash. That was never a problem until Sunday morning, when a coyote bolted from the shadows, snatched Zuki in its jaws and took off like lightning.

"It really hurt. It's like losing a child," Lincoln said Tuesday night, still shaken by the fatal attack.

It was the latest in a series of coyote attacks in southwest Orange, where the usually reticent animals have become increasingly brazen. Long considered a nuisance in Central Florida because they rummage through trash cans, stalk cats and yip and howl after dark, coyotes are more troublesome in neighborhoods with woodlands and green space, according to wildlife experts.

The state Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission organized an informational meeting in January for concerned residents of Turnburry Woods and Torey Pines. Some coyotes traipsed into back yards to kill dogs; others were suspected in the disappearances of cats.

An Ocoee neighborhood hired trappers to kill coyotes after a dog was taken from a backyard on Christmas.

The attack on 15-year-old Zuki, which was reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, was typical of coyotes, which are opportunistic hunters, said Stan Gehrt, a wildlife ecologist at Ohio State University who has tracked coyotes in the Chicago area for more than a decade.

The animals tend to be more aggressive in January during mating season and in late April and early May, when most litters are born, Gehrt said. The coyote may have seen the Chihuahua either as food or a threat to a new litter, he said.

Judy Kaufman, who lives in the neighborhood, thinks she has seen the suspect animal: a lean, grayish canine with orange eyes. The unsettling news convinced her not to walk her pugs, Nellie and Winnie, after dusk anymore.

"The girls and I are home before dark now," she said.

Kit Zayas wonders whether a coyote snatched Diva, her 10-year-old jet-black cat. The feline princess, whose throne was a blanket on the back of a leather couch in Zayas' living room, went missing about a week ago.

"She's never, ever been gone at night," Zayas said.

Because coyotes are often more active at night, the wildlife commission advises against letting small pets roam or walking them at night in an area where coyotes have been seen or where the stealthy hunters could be hiding, said agency spokeswoman Joy Hill.

Coyote experts say the animals are generally skittish and easy to scare, instinctively fearing humans.

The animals often retreat when confronted. But they can lose their fear if they find food.

Gehrt encouraged residents who encounter a coyote to act aggressively by making noise, shouting, waving arms or stepping toward them.

"It should run," he said. "If it doesn't, you should report that to authorities."

In the attack on the Chihuahua, the coyote showed no fear, according to the commission report.

The neighborhood's homeowners association is investigating strategies to prevent future attacks, including trapping, said Jennifer White, community manager.

"We're working on it," said White, who alerted residents though the association's message board.

Lincoln said she is taking extra care with her other dog, Henry. She has given up walking the pug in the dark.

"I think he was stalking," she said of the coyote, pointing out that she found what she believes were coyote paw prints nearby. "I'm afraid he'll come back for more."
Coyote kills Chihuahua; Coyote kills Chihuahua while owner walks it - OrlandoSentinel.com (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-coyote-kills-chihuahua-20130430,0,2178838.story)

[eremite06]

I saw one just a half hour ago in Lynnhaven. Don't let Fluffy out at night.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

This is VERY scary to me, and I have very large dogs. I fear I'll be walking my dogs and encounter a coyote and my dogs will get crazy and something will happen. I don't know what they would do if they encountered one. I'm not sure if a coyote would approach us or not, given that the dogs are larger than they are but it is worrysome that my normally extremely well behaved and under control dogs could feel we are threatened and lunge or worse and have a run in with them or worse. Do they only come out after dark? I can't picture my dogs feeling we were in danger and standing around just looking at a coyote and doing it calmly. Their ancestry IS wolfhunting. One more thing for an already easily worried person to worry about! This is as scary for me as for you little dog owners.

[Barefoot]

This is VERY scary to me, and I have very large dogs. I fear I'll be walking my dogs and encounter a coyote and my dogs will get crazy and something will happen. I don't know what they would do if they encountered one. I'm not sure if a coyote would approach us or not, given that the dogs are larger than they are but it is worrysome that my normally extremely well behaved and under control dogs could feel we are threatened and lunge or worse and have a run in with them or worse. Do they only come out after dark? I can't picture my dogs feeling we were in danger and standing around just looking at a coyote and doing it calmly. Their ancestry IS wolfhunting. One more thing for an already easily worried person to worry about! This is as scary for me as for you little dog owners.

Don't be scared. Coyotes are definitely around, but they normally avoid people. (I'm not a coyote expert, but I did live in a rural area for many years with lots of coyotes around). They aren't out in packs, roaming the streets in The Villages. People see them occasionally ... often they are on golf courses or environmental areas. I saw one in the early morning on the golf course in back of our house. He was running ... I assume back to his den. Of course I would never let my dogs outside unsupervised, even though we have invisible fencing.

I don't worry about walking my dogs on the street at night. The streets are well lighted. I wouldn't walk my dogs in dark areas or around water. But that's because I'm more scared of gators than coyotes.

[TexaninVA]

Just took my dog out to the front yard to P as usual this time of morning. A full grown healthy coyote was across the street between two of my neighbors houses approx 100 feet away. He walked about 5 feet forward into the yard between the two and into better light and I was sure then it was not a dog, but a full grown coyote, so I picked my 6 lbs dog up. He then walked across the yard right in front of that house and between that and the next house to my right and off into the darkness at a walk. He did not appear to look directly at me, but I have no doubt he knew we were there. I have been around them all my life, but that was the first time so close without the coyote being startled away.

This solution is not recommended for a highly populated area like TV, but it did take care of the problem in a situation similar to yours. Good thing you got your dog out of there in one piece.

Texas Gov. Perry fatally shoots coyote (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/27/AR2010042705323.html)

[JP]

My youngest was sitting on our front porch in the village of St. James about 2 a.m. when a coyote walked by about 3 feet away from him. He said it scared the heck out of him. He didn't know if he should challenge it or just sit still. He ended up just sitting still and it walked by probably not even realizing he was sitting there but still, that was a close encounter.

I've never heard of a coyote attaching a human but I think a smaller dog would look a lot like a rabbit or squirrel and mostly an easy dinner.

Where I live up north, I frequently hear them pack howling and no matter how well protected I am in terms of weapons or buildings, it always sends a chill down my spine. It must be an old behavioral response from when we were roaming the plains!

[tommy steam]

Coyotes are fearful of humans and I have never heard of one attacking an adult human anywhere, ever. They are very opportunistic and nervous but will dash up close to a human to carry off a small pet. Coyotes in The Villages are less likely to be afraid of humans than those is more wild and remote areas, but still it would be very unlikely to attack an adult.

I just googled , have humans ever been attacked by coyotes , and info came up that there have been attacks. It doesn't happen that often but it can. As humans invade their territory they become less fearful of them. I don't know how to post the links to the articles but it's easy enough to find the info on the internet. If I see one I will retreat the other way.

[Carl in Tampa]

I just googled , have humans ever been attacked by coyotes , and info came up that there have been attacks. It doesn't happen that often but it can. As humans invade their territory they become less fearful of them. I don't know how to post the links to the articles but it's easy enough to find the info on the internet. If I see one I will retreat the other way.

The greater danger is being attacked by a rabid wild animal. It could be a coyote, skunk, 'possum, raccoon or other animal that normally would not attack a human.

You may see an occasional armadillo roadkill. Armadillos are also to be avoided because they sometimes carry the germs for the human disease leprosy.

.

[murray607]

Your right, that coyotes can attack adults, but they don't.

Sorry golfingnut, but they do attack adults. In particular was the attack on 19 year Taylor Mitchell in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 2009 which resulted in her death. A post mortom examination on one of the two coyotes revealed from DNA analysis, tissue from the victim and the body had bite marks which were matched to a coyote.

The coyotes in the east are interbreeding with the Eastern Red Wolf and this results in a larger more powerful animal which in many cases has less fear of humans. Human/Wolf encounters have increased over recent years both single animal encounters and pack encounters.

However, as far as I can gather, the hybrid strain so far is concentrated in the NE USA and in Eastern Canada although some central coyotes are showing similar traits. Coyotes are not native to the eastern states or Canada, but have spread there particularly over the past 50-60 years.

Coyote attacks on humans - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote_attacks_on_humans)

There was another more recent attack in Cape Breton

Coyote attacks teenager in Cape Breton - Nova Scotia - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/coyote-attacks-teenager-in-cape-breton-1.1202671)

CBC has an excellent video on this wolf-coyote hybrid

Meet the Coywolf - The Nature of Things - CBC Player (http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/The+Nature+of+Things/ID/2335216723/)

As I write this I am looking out of my office window into a farmers field full of hay bales and there is a coyote perched on top of a bale. This guy is likely hunting rodents, mice, voles or rabbits. He has been there a good half hour just waiting for something to appear.