Coyote in the Villages
 

Saw one the other evening across from the Mionia Rec center. Was a large one, beware, they like to eat cats and small dogs.

I just saw one on O'dell at Mallory gate at 9:30 pm Thursday.

Eating ones pets should not be a problem as all pets are kept on a leash etc. Right

Ahh no. Pets do not have to be leashed on their property and if you live in a CYV they are pretty much never leashed in the back. Coyotes will take small leashed dogs without much problem.

Can I safely assume that Coyote's are no problem or threat if you don't have a small dog or Cat to be eaten? Hope so cause that means I'm OK.

Actually, that is right. I have yet to see an off-leash dog or domesticated cat in four years. Where are your facts?

I can hear the coyotes over in the cow pasture at night when taking our dog out for his last rest stop. They will go after the newborn calves. When they develop that area, we'll be seeing them in Tamarind Grove.

I just assumed they where all kept on a leash. Am I wrong?

Even if on a leash, they will attack!! Comes down who's stronger, the owner or the coyote!!!!

If a dog were unleashed i would be the first to know it:D

Leash or no leash they will get your pets. In Sumter county I've heard them scoop dogs away on a leash. The proble for us is getting worse those of us in the country are losing livestock as well It's a problem created with the new construction and the lack of foresight and greed not to address the problem of displacment of wildlife. I've lived here thirteen years an just within the last year lost mant animals due to wild life never before experienced. It's not the animals fault yet when your heartbroken when you lose a loved pet your anger wants to lash out on them. They were here first. The misguided fear and anger needs to be directed toward the creators of the problem not the animals. I love all animals but protector of my pets. Unfortunately when pursuing all avenues for humane solution to problems no response. To protect my domaine I personally will trap and turn over animals to locals improvised people who will roast then for dinner now if if you have power of community resources go for it otherwise you have to do what you have to do for yourself. Talking without action will not make problem go away. Action counts

I thought 'who would eat a coyote?' I was wrong.

Foremost Coyote Hunting: Eating A Coyote

Not so sure about that off-leash thing - check your Deed Restrictions under Use of Property - ours reads something like 'must be leashed when not within confines of home'. Does "home" stretch to mean "yard".

I would contend that Deed Restrictions are trumped by county ordinances.

Marion County says:

It shall be the duty of every animal owner or responsible person to ensure that the animal is kept under direct humane control.

It goes on to define direct control:

Direct control shall mean the immediate, continuous physical control of an animal by means of confining within a house, building, fence, pen or other enclosure, or restrained by means of leash, cord, chain, or similar tether of sufficient strength to restrain the animal subject to the restrictions provided herein.

It gets even more specific and states that a leash must not be longer than six feet.

I will be bringing my guns down in October. Coyote makes great BBQ.

My Deed Restrictions are on property in Lake County...what are the Deed Restrictions for Marion County - do ya know? And if County trumped Developer - wouldn't Developer be obligated to revise DR - like they did when satellite dishes gained legal status to be mounted on houses/property?

Another puzzlement and along with barefoot's post - all the more important to check one's deed restrictions.