Coyotes Eat Cats and Dogs in Villages
 

Posted in thread coyote pet screen..this deserves to be read by animal owners IMO, and I am reposting in the pet forum...

"10-15-2015, 02:26 PM
MDLNB
Platinum member

Thanks for the info. I am thinking of replacing my birdcage screen and it might be smart to go with the pet safe stuff.

Not to change the subject, but we've had six or seven cats disappear in the past week in my neighborhood. One neighbor on the golf course side said she had her little dog on a leash, getting ready to take it out back and suddenly noticed a coyote staring at her. There have been coyote(s) observed on Glen View golf course around St Simons and Valdosta villas in the past couple of weeks. Most of the cats that disappeared were roaming loose, except one (some were feral but spayed and chipped). That cat was removed from a lanai after the animal tore through the screen. I find it hard to believe that a coyote could snatch that many cats in such a short time in the area of Court Yard Villas. Seems to me that the cats could go over the CYV walls where the coyote couldn't. I haven't heard any Bob Cats but someone in the neighborhood said they saw one. Sounds like a rumor so I can't verify it. I have not heard a bob cat, and I do know what they sound like from living in NC and having one in the woods around my home.

I just find it strange that six or seven cats suddenly disappear with no one seeing anything."

Thank you MDLNB for reporting the kills and sightings....

Coyotes easily jump walls, and can go up to 11 feet or more.
Coyotes mostly work at night and we have no idea they are outside our home.
Coyotes adapt to urban life, bobcats do not.

Videos of coyotes working are an excellent education. We do not have to guess what they are capable of. Will post some later in thread.

Punta Gorda, Fl, july 2015
Chihuahua snatched.."i am warning people..be careful walking the dog."
Coyote snatches Chihuahua in Deep Creek - NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida

W. Boca Raton, jul., 2015 residents walking with weapons....coyotes stalking them
Coyote concerns for residents in West Boca Raton neighborhood - WSVN-TV - 7NEWS Miami Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Deco

Anna Maria, Fl, UF Ifas responds to coyote problem. 300 sightings in pinellas county, "with missing cats and dogs"
Note that Pinellas county is tracking sightings through citizens report form.

UF/IFAS helping homeowners across Florida deal with coyotes | IFAS News

"Some tips to live in harmony with coyotes include:
Do not leave small children unattended in your yard or at playgrounds in areas where coyotes are known to live;
Walkers or joggers should carry mace or a whistle and blow it when a coyote is spotted;
Keep small dogs on a leash within six feet of you;
Keep trash lids secured on cans or keep cans inside your garage;
Remove outdoor pet food;
Secure crawl spaces under homes with screening or lattice;
And prune shrubs to discourage den-making."

Supposedly it was a bobcat that got the two or perhaps three cats off the lanais in Lynnhaven and Ashland. I do not have a photograph of one though or any hard evidence just the word of various people here in Lynnhaven I have talked to. They have seen coyotes in the same neighborhoods though. This is usually been around 1 AM.

Tal, Fill me in why bobcats are thought to have taken the cats? This has been said several times...with hedging words like "scuttlebutt"...you were seeking the source...tell me what you learned.

They seem to think that the screens could not be cut as they were by coyotes. One of my fellow Lynnhaven dog walkers who lives near the Churchill Downs Rec Center-- where two of these attacks were according to her-- found the very mangled body of the first cat missing in Lynnhaven. It was only partially eaten. She seemed to be going on what the dead cat looked like. I assume it was more claw marks than bite marks? These were people she knew who had their cat dragged off. The later Lynnhaven attack was last month a few doors east of the first attack on the same street. The third attack was the one reported on the other Villages web-site about the 20 year old cat drug off. The first attack was in Ashland. These people seem to compare notes so to speak in their grief and anger.

Coyote Eats Cat in Huntington Beach - Warfest.com Local News - YouTube

Coyote eating cat in daylight.
Gruesome, horrid.

That is what animals do. We do too. Eat or be eaten. We protect our young and when we are older our pets become our young.


There is something going on here that I don't understand. There are most certainly coyotes roaming about and our unprotected pets are in danger.


But exactly the level of danger is not clear in my mind. I know people pretty well after a long time on this earth. Was that original dog on a leash? There are a LOT of rumors, and exaggerations and half truths and downright fibs going around this community.


AND if every single one of them were true...including the "six or seven" pets snatched, what should we do other than be very careful with our pets?


Kitty, do you think that a trapping plan should be instituted by the local government? Has that been effective or is there a limitless supply of wild animals that will continue to wander in attracted by the people who feed birds and other small animals?


I soon learned that I wasn't in Ohio anymore and stopped feeding the birds in Florida due to information found on this forum and by long term Florida residents that I know well. The bear dilemma in other parts of Florida is scary indeed.


Kitty, you are a lifelong Florida resident, what do you think is the answer?

This is now a huge community. Ten or so pet snatchings a year does not seem extreme.

It seems to be the feral cats that go missing most. They could get hit by a car or golf cart.

Most of the dog injuries and deaths I have heard about while going to the Doggie Doo Run Run since January 2007 have been from golf cart accidents or pooches getting lose and hit by cars/trucks.

I worry more about the sometimes idiotic golf car and other vehicle drivers when I am out at night. Some are going almost 50 MPH on Churchill Downs at night and just a few nights OK I saw a SUV take a turn and go far to the side of the street it should not have been and this was right into a dark portion of the street we live on.

As a lifelong Florida resident, I can tell you that we never had as significant problems in Rural Fl as we now have in TV. From reads, the decimation of red wolves made coyotes king. Their population is swelling everywhere in US and Canada, and there is not one urban area with an effective solution, whereas livestock farmers use a multitude of methods with modest success.

Trapping is not that effective bc coyotes are intelligent and adapt quickly and generally avoid traps and certainly do after one of the pack dies that way (info from local trapper.)

The solution is perpetual extermination, and that is out of the question. Developer cannot assume liability by taking any action, otherwise becomes potentially liable for any/all damage by coyotes (info fm claims agent.)

That sounds like lawyers playing games. I have heard talk from the Lynnhaven group that they may collect money for a trapper for the bobcat. Have not had any more information about this. That would be private action though.

I would think though that if a particularly troublesome pack of coyotes were targeting a specific group of homes that the Villages would get involved especially if very recent development in that area by the Villages itself pushed some pack of coyotes out of their home territory?

So far it just sounds like a coyote targeting one home because of easy pickings before and lone coyotes getting other pets as prey when they have found an easy target. The bobcat also seems to be going after weak animals with the 20 year old cat last month. My guess is that it is just one bobcat that is wandering around Lynnhaven/Ashland.

Reply
 

It is difficult to believe it is bobcats unless the animals stray or left outside as many do in the north as we were surrounded by bobcats, some living in an empty lot next door. I don't think they left my two cats alone out of courtesy but that they were always in our screened lanai. I do know cats if terrified by thunder will rip the lanai screen to escape.

As far as coyotes go, they indeed are different and like all animals looking to eat as they want to survive. Like a previous poster said, they have grown in numbers rapidly because the new breed has bred with eastern wolves and they have become amazingly intelligent. If the food supply is good, they live harmoniously around the populous neighborhoods.

I urge you to get perspective and use the search on Netflix for the well-done film on coy wolfs. You WILL see them differently and I did have more respect for their amazing capability but also got a sense of calm.

Most of my life I've lived in a forest setting due to my profession and watched the wildlife carefully. IMHO, do not panic but learn, respect and protect your pets. If not, remember the Beavers and Bison.

I wish I had a Netflix link to share as so many seem so upset with this.

Try this out for me and see if it works

Video: Meet the Coywolf | Watch Nature Online | PBS Video

thanks for sharing

Are you saying we have coy wolves AKA eastern coyotes? If that was established a while ago, I'm sorry I missed it.

Good informative info regarding coyotes here in Central Florida.

http://www.gainesville.com/assets/pdf/GS238071018.PDF

I am not sure if any one in Lynnhaven actually saw a bobcat, but I am getting this information second or third hand. One bobcat though in Central Florida might act differently than bobcats in some other region given all the developments in this area. There is an area about a mile from Lynnhaven getting quite a lot of construction.

A year ago we had a feral cat problem so now the coyotes moved in to feed on the cats. I don't see any more feral cats maybe the coyctes will move on.

Has anyone seen any sandhill cranes lately? Oh no.

If these coyotes or "coy-wolves" are so intelligent, maybe we could domesticate and train them. Plenty of uses I can think of----

Patrol the squares and keep line dancers and seat savers under control
Fetch 8 inch garden gnomes and bring them to deed compliance
"Correct" those that leave dog poop where it doesn't belong
Sniff out inebriated or drug impaired cart drivers
Watch for burglars
Guard kitty from bobcats
Fetch wayward golf balls--would speed up play--they could also drag very slow golfers to the next tee by the seat of their pants
GG could train them to hunt posters negative about TV, Tal could send them after anyone critical of his law project, Tom could have them find those lacking humor, and I could send them to eat those critical of the medical profession:1rotfl:

Re: Do we have eastern coyotes?.....I think it is a good possibility. We would have to ask those who saw the few sighted and whether they had the long legs, short ears and long bushy tail unlike the older breeds that tend to avoid urban areas. Their size is much smaller than a wolf but bigger than the western coyote. It's interesting that they will breed with both and are called the smartest animal on the planet.

You're right GG, there are a lot of rumors being shared, and fear mongering going on.
I haven't seen many facts about what is actually happening in The Villages, mostly just gossip from friends of friends.
All I know is that I will continue to always walk our dogs on leashes and be extra vigilant.

[QUOTE=Taltarzac725;1130512]That sounds like lawyers playing games. I have heard talk from the Lynnhaven group that they may collect money for a trapper for the bobcat. Have not had any more information about this. That would be private action though.

Wouldn't it be easier to make sure cat is not left unattended on the lanai?

Just goes to show you you can't mess with Mother Nature. Get rid of the wolves, and the coyotes move in. Perpetual extermination? I don't even think that's possible unless it's country-wide. Plus is it even ethical?

The biggest threat in TV to dogs and cats is their owners. If they don't act responsibly but keep letting their cats out to roam, or letting their dogs out unleashed, they're jeopardizing their own pets' safety.

So far there have been two proven coyote attacks in TV. Everybody should be careful. Everybody should keep pets indoors or on leashes, and not out on lanais in the middle of the night.

I don't think citing every single coyote killing in the state of Florida is necessary. It's just going to scare people. Coyotes are here; protect your pets!

Neither Bobcats or Coyotees will prey on humans. Therefore, dont let your cats out to roam. Don't leave cats on the lanai unless you have screen protectors and when walking your dogs be very cautious. Keep them on a short leash, carry a whistle. If it's dark out, carry a flashlight and be aware of your surroundings. If you follow through with protecting your pets, you should not have a problem. We are living in central Florida with a wonderful array of wild animals. Respect them and we can all live amicably.

CFrance, we were typing at the same time and pretty much posted the same thing.........Just protecting our beloved pets is the key. 😊

I am fairly new to the villages, and my cat just ran away...she could be anywhere in the villages because I moved way south and I was way north. I'm sure she's trying to head back to Chatham. If anyone sees a cat~~ a tiger with a white bib and white paws could you please notify me? Thank you so much

It might be a good idea to start a new thread in the All About Pets section. Go to the Home page of TOTV, go down to All About Pets, open that section and click on the green button that says Start New Thread. If you have a picture of your cat, that's good. Or PM me with all the information and I will do the thread for you.

Maybe someone will come on with the name and number of the TV radio station so you can call them. Good luck. I'm sure your cat will come home. Most do.

...and yet I still have seen cats roaming outside (not feral ones neither). People are letting their cats out and that shouldn't be happening.

That's really too bad. Just feeding the wildlife. No wonder the coyotes stick around. Keep your cats in folks. Just plain stupid not to.

We had a sighting last week in Santiago of coyotes in the Preserve, of which, is close to Glen View Golf course. Made sure all neighbors new to keep their dogs on leashes and cats in the house. Shut the cat door so the cats or dog cannot go out into the lanai during the night then you do not need to worry about them missing in the morning

Played Sweetgum yesterday and Cane Garden Hibiscus/Allamanda today and saw several.

Yes Gracie, there were sandhills today on Destin course....Bonifay.

Eastern coyotes taking young calves in fl.
 

UF IFAS Range Cattle REC Special Report, June 2014 Ona Report

Over the last 30 years coyotes have expanded their range into peninsular Florida and more recently the population seems to have increased. Coyotes can be defined as an apex predator (top of the food chain) and play important roles in shaping wildlife populations, both positive and negative. Unfortunately, they are also a species that can interfere with livestock production, and are causing some early calf loss in Florida. This may be in part to the average size of eastern coyotes being 25% larger than western coyotes. In this developing study we want to answer: How often do coyote interact with cattle and cause calf loss? How does coyote behavior change during calving season? What is the occurrence of coyote calf loss across Florida? What has been the coyote population increase?

Kitty... what do you want to have happen?

Locally, to prevent attacks on pets and children by raising awareness.
Long Beach Coyote Attacks On Pets 'Out Of Control' Residents Say

Spoke to our vet about this and she said you have more to fear from the large birds swooping down and getting them than you do coyotes.

Got research? Fm UF vet school geneticists and pathologists..
Coyote responsible for cat deaths in central Fla. | Gainesville.com

Fm the news article cited in the above link:

Before an animal was identified as the killer, a Lakeland veterinarian analyzed one of the cats and told police it was likely dismembered by a knife or sharp object. Further testing by a UF animal pathologist refuted that opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrance (Post 1130817) the biggest threat in tv to dogs and cats is their owners. If they don't act responsibly but keep letting their cats out to roam, or letting their dogs out unleashed, they're jeopardizing their own pets' safety. So far there have been two proven coyote attacks in tv. Everybody should be careful. Everybody should keep pets indoors or on leashes, and not out on lanais in the middle of the night.. I don't think citing every single coyote killing in the state of florida is necessary. It's just going to scare people. Coyotes are here; protect your pets!

Excellent post! Thanks! :ho:

don't feed feral cats, please.
don't feed squirrels, please.
If you follow these 2 rules, you will not be feeding coyotes.

Does the trash out in bags bother you?