[gerryann]

Originally Posted by bagboy

We build homes on land that were once home to wildlife: alligators, snakes, coyotes, deer, etc. Then we are shocked that we have encounters with them. For the most part, leave them alone and the favor will be returned.

Totally agree. Don't build in this state and expect it to change to suit your lifestyle. All of these animals belong here and should be left alone.

I still don't know when or where cats were supposedly snatched from lanai's, but if this is the case, maybe you'll have to stay with your cats outdoors, or leash them, or keep them indoors, or.......

I'm sorry for anyone that loses their pet to these animal BUT...We all should be aware that we live in a place where the natural habitats before us still roam this land. We as owners should take responsibility for the safety of our pets without going to the extreme of trapping & killing wildlife. Dog owners should be either walking their dogs on leashes where your pet is close enough to you that you can control it and it's surroundings. If you're going to walk your dog in the dark be extra vigilant this is the time that wildlife feels safe to roam. Also there are dog parks available to take your dogs to that have fences where your dog can be off leash and socialize with other dogs.If you live here most likely coyotes & gators are somewhere close to your home so if you feel your kitty enjoys sitting on the lanai please be out there with them.It's easier to say let's get rid of the wildlife instead of looking at what we can do to take responsibility for our pets safety!!

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by gerryann

When and where was a dog ever snatched by a gator here in The Villages? And what cats were taken by coyotes? What facts are there except for the dog taken?

click here


I haven't been here long but I remember this story.

[kittygilchrist]

Pit bull saves cat from coyote attack in Seminole Fl - YouTube Pit bull saves cat from 2 coyotes

Central Florida Gardening - Living With Wild Coyotes - YouTube "How to live with coyotes...never leave children unattended. Think of them as if there was a mean dog next door."

Coyotes In Florida - YouTube "If a coyote is after your child, pick them up snd yell, scream, and flail your arms"

Coyotes Blamed For Pet Attacks In Boca Raton « CBS Miami Two dogs snatched Boca Raton, june, 2015. One dead, the other was on leash when pulled away from owner. Video of gashes on puppy saved by neighbor.

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by gerryann

Totally agree. Don't build in this state and expect it to change to suit your lifestyle. All of these animals belong here and should be left alone.

I still don't know when or where cats were supposedly snatched from lanai's, but if this is the case, maybe you'll have to stay with your cats outdoors, or leash them, or keep them indoors, or.......

The cats snatched from the lanai story was third or fourth hand information never verified. The originator still brings it up under probable. I wouldn't worry.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by loonlovers

I think there is a bit of hysteria taking place surrounding coyote attacks in The Villages. I believe there is only one documented instance in which a pet has been snatched by a coyote. Other reports are from "somebody that my friend heard about for somebody"! If an animal (any animal including domestic pets) poses a threat in a neighborhood, that animal needs to be removed and/or destroyed if necessary. But, from my understanding of my note from Mr. Burgess, the animals being targeted are the animals that live in the Preserve.

Originally Posted by gomoho

This absolutely breaks my heart - just how sterile must The Villages be?

Originally Posted by njbchbum

What I don't understand is the intense desire of pet owners/dog walkers to have coyotes trapped and killed rather than exercise personal responsibility to do their best to avoid them.

[QUOTE=Sandtrap328;1109051] There was ONE dog that got snatched by a coyote and that was after midnight and the little dog was out in the yard without a leash. Hopefully, there will be no coyote trapping - especially inside a wildlife preserve. Thanks to all who called VCDD and commented about the idiocy of trapping inside a wildlife preserve.
Personal responsibility and common sense are the best choices.[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by gerryann

Don't build in this state and expect it to change to suit your lifestyle. All of these animals belong here and should be left alone.

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan

It's easier to say let's get rid of the wildlife instead of looking at what we can do to take responsibility for our pets safety!!

Personal responsibility and common sense.

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

The cats snatched from the lanai story was third or fourth hand information never verified. The originator still brings it up under probable. I wouldn't worry.

IF a cat was ever taken by a wild animal from inside a lanai by bursting through the screen - there would have been much ado on TOTV about it as well as in the Daily Sun. The Sun does like to portray a friendly and safe environment but they do have reports of the very infrequent break-ins, fires, and golf cart accidents as does the POA paper.


I am very skeptical of the cats taken story.

[tomwed]

A little common sense goes a long way. Put your trash out in the morning. If the threat was as serious as some say, there would be garbage bags torn up every night.

Are there torn up trash bags in your neighborhood?

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

The cats snatched from the lanai story was third or fourth hand information never verified. The originator still brings it up under probable. I wouldn't worry.

I know the house on Livingston Loop in the Village of Lynnhaven where this cat was supposedly taken. And, a friend of the second cat owner posted on here and saw the evidence of the critter's foot prints with her own eyes.

The probability of these snatchings is high. Perhaps, they were too traumatized by the experiences to call the Villages Daily Sun and relive it. And. I do not see why they would call the police unless a person broke into the lanai. They probably would call their insurance agent if this were covered.

Seems there is a lot of denial on here that something bad can happen here in the Villages to pets.

The Villages has a lot of areas where wildlife can roam freely so most of the time they would hunt there. Maybe, the weaker of the hunters are being pushed out by some of the stronger coyotes??? That's why there are not more trash bags ripped up because most of the time the coyotes get enough to eat in the preserve areas.

[kittygilchrist]

Burbank Ca. Video of coyote pack chasing man with large dog on leash.
Coyote Pack Chases Unarmed Man And His Dog - YouTube

Huntington Beach. Coyote eating white cat in front yard. Coyote Eats Cat in Huntington Beach - Warfest.com Local News - YouTube

[gerryann]

tomwed, I was not aware of the incident that you provided the link for. Thanks.

When I am around a pond with my pup, I am extremely cautious! ....as everyone needs to be. I've lived near gators most of my life and we must just be aware of our surroundings.

I've been out of contact for a few days and was not aware that some were calling for trapping of coyotes. I'm glad that apparently it will not happen.....that would be just plain wrong!

[gerryann]

Polo Ridge has many feral cats that I have personally seen rummaging through garbage bags on three different occasions while out walking my pup, so don't assume that it's always coyotes ripping the bags apart.

[kittygilchrist]

Coyote stalks and starts going in for attack on elderly lady and dog - YouTube "I am a nature lover but this coyote should be put down. It is stalking kids and ladies."

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Burbank Ca. Video of coyote pack chasing man with large dog on leash.
Coyote Pack Chases Unarmed Man And His Dog - YouTube

Huntington Beach. Coyote eating white cat in front yard. Coyote Eats Cat in Huntington Beach - Warfest.com Local News - YouTube

That is scary for sure Kitty. In California it is a really big problem. I don't believe they trap them there. My son lives in San Diego and is just very careful with his pets.

[kittygilchrist]

USDA APHIS | Wildlife Damage

Education for us all. This is no small bury in the sand problem...please look at this.