Coyote
 

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.

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.

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

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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

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

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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

Coyote Attacks on Children
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.

What Village?

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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.

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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!

Black Bear Hoax
 

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

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.

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 !

Bears have been seen in TV fyi...

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.

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.

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!
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Bears have been seen in TV fyi...
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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.

"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:

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

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

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

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.

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.

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:

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.

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