[kittygilchrist]

Irvine, Ca, 4 children attacked. One was in garage of house.
Coyotes are being trapped and euthanized 5 have been caught. One linked by dna to child attack. June, 2015

Irvine child's coyote attack 4th in last two months | abc7.com

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

I don't have a a pet to walk [other than my husband ] before or after dark. I understand anyone's fear of gators, coyotes, and even dogs. 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. What am I missing?

Amen!

[kittygilchrist]

Ocala 2013 coyote pack strips dog from man walking him on leash as he fights for dog's life. Dog assumed eaten.

Ocala resident: Coyotes attack just feet from front door, snatching small dog | Ocala.com

"It doesn't surprise me that there's coyotes out there (in a residential area)," Hill said. "They're in all 67 counties in Florida. I can hear them at my house. But it's pretty bold when they take a dog right off the leash like that. It's happened before, but it's rare."

Here is the advice I am taking:
Hill said, then, that it is up to residents of coyote-infested areas to take matters into their own hands. They can shoot them, if the law permits. Or they can try to scare them away, because coyotes, like dogs, quickly lose their fear of people if they aren't challenged.

May 2015 coyote attacks man, west boca A man is attacked by a coyote in a West Boca subdivision, possibly same animal spotted 3 weeks ago - wptv.com

[Bryan]

The thread seems to have gone a little off track. Initially, the question concerned the dichotomy between the VCDD answer supplied by Dave Burgess, Assistant Director of Property Management and Sam Wartinbee, Director of Property Management.

Both responses were true and factual but both were slightly incomplete.

Mr. Burgess was correct in that VCDD can, and has in the past, and may presently have hired, trappers for coyotes. What he failed to mention is that these trappers can only trap on district property like the wetlands areas, wildlife preserve areas, etc., where the general public in not supposed to go The District has no right, no authority, and probably a lot of liability, if they placed dangerous steel traps on private property like your yard or lanai. As a homeowner, that is up to you to do. Same restrictions apply to the District when trapping on public property (postal stations, roadway mediums, around rec centers, golf courses, etc.) where the public is allowed access – dangerous to place traps where they might injure people or pets so it won’t be done.

Mr. Wartinbee was correct when he pointed out that Fish and Wildlife won’t do anything about coyotes in your yard. That is up to you, the homeowner. He was also correct in that the District does have an obligation to protect endangered species threatened by coyotes in our wetlands and preserves. He just did not explain the when/where/and how the District will arrange for that trapping, should they determine it is necessary in those untamed areas of The Villages.

Bottom line, both responses delivered the same message using a different approach. That message is “Coyotes are here. The District will meet its legal obligations to protect endangered species in wetlands and preserves. Your property is your concern. Deal with it.”

[Taltarzac725]

Coyotes | Animal Rights Foundation of Florida I found this link. That is true that the displaced coyotes in the south part of the Villages would probably soon take the place of any trapped on a private residence. The same logic though applies to coyotes endangering protected species in the wildlife preserves unless the VCCs hired a lot of trappers or a couple with very long contracts.

I do see the liability problem except for traps set on golf courses from midnight though 4AM or so. They could also announce the setting of traps at these periods so that almost no one would be on these golf courses in the middle of the night. That does seem to be how the coyotes are getting around. There would be the problem of loose dogs or feral cats getting into the traps but that would also apply to the protected preserves as well.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by Bryan

The thread seems to have gone a little off track. Initially, the question concerned the dichotomy between the VCDD answer supplied by Dave Burgess, Assistant Director of Property Management and Sam Wartinbee, Director of Property Management.

Both responses were true and factual but both were slightly incomplete.

Mr. Burgess was correct in that VCDD can, and has in the past, and may presently have hired, trappers for coyotes. What he failed to mention is that these trappers can only trap on district property like the wetlands areas, wildlife preserve areas, etc., where the general public in not supposed to go The District has no right, no authority, and probably a lot of liability, if they placed dangerous steel traps on private property like your yard or lanai. As a homeowner, that is up to you to do. Same restrictions apply to the District when trapping on public property (postal stations, roadway mediums, around rec centers, golf courses, etc.) where the public is allowed access – dangerous to place traps where they might injure people or pets so it won’t be done.

Mr. Wartinbee was correct when he pointed out that Fish and Wildlife won’t do anything about coyotes in your yard. That is up to you, the homeowner. He was also correct in that the District does have an obligation to protect endangered species threatened by coyotes in our wetlands and preserves. He just did not explain the when/where/and how the District will arrange for that trapping, should they determine it is necessary in those untamed areas of The Villages.

Bottom line, both responses delivered the same message using a different approach. That message is “Coyotes are here. The District will meet its legal obligations to protect endangered species in wetlands and preserves. Your property is your concern. Deal with it.”

Do you suppose it would be ok then that a neighborhood with a frequently seen coyote pack hire a trapper and put the trap on a selected resident yard? Given the videos I posted from FL and other urban areas of coyotes stalking eople and pets on lead being eaten and multiple articles of children hospitalized from bites and needing rabies protection, I like the idea.

If your analysis is correct, I am puzzled, how it is that I saw an alligator being taken from a pond on a course near the crosswalk from the course to the mailboxes. Surely with a crosswalk, people were supposed to be there.

Also, wasn't cane garden where a resident on that course had wild hogs in the yard, that trappers were hired?

I cannot add up the VCDD response to the coyotes and make 2 and 2 equal 4.

PS, re whether I am hysterical anout wildlife know I am a Floridian, from rural, wild woods. know when to hold 'em? Caught a snake in my pool this morning and will release to Evans Prairie. Common Garter.

PPS I surfaced to Mr. burgess early on that folks here were talking about shooting coyotes and posted basically that VCDD would handle the problem and carrying was a bad idea. I have done a 180 on that and will write Mr. Wartinbee a cogent letter of my intention to shelve my small .38 on my backside when walking, with or without a pet. I am sad about the whole thing, for coyotes, VCDD, grieving pet owners, cats unsafe on the lanai, and the possibility that there will be more bad news.

[Kitty Litter]

First, I would like to say that I can't imagine watching your dog being snatched by another animal. My heart goes out to that family. What if the animal that carried off that dog was an eagle or owl? Would everyone want to start killing these animals as well? I'm sure many of the cats that have gone missing were killed by birds of prey. I love the Villages not only for the lifestyle but also for all of the wild life that we get to enjoy. Watch your pets and leave the coyotes alone.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Bryan

The thread seems to have gone a little off track. Initially, the question concerned the dichotomy between the VCDD answer supplied by Dave Burgess, Assistant Director of Property Management and Sam Wartinbee, Director of Property Management.

Both responses were true and factual but both were slightly incomplete.

Mr. Burgess was correct in that VCDD can, and has in the past, and may presently have hired, trappers for coyotes. What he failed to mention is that these trappers can only trap on district property like the wetlands areas, wildlife preserve areas, etc., where the general public in not supposed to go The District has no right, no authority, and probably a lot of liability, if they placed dangerous steel traps on private property like your yard or lanai. As a homeowner, that is up to you to do. Same restrictions apply to the District when trapping on public property (postal stations, roadway mediums, around rec centers, golf courses, etc.) where the public is allowed access – dangerous to place traps where they might injure people or pets so it won’t be done.

Mr. Wartinbee was correct when he pointed out that Fish and Wildlife won’t do anything about coyotes in your yard. That is up to you, the homeowner. He was also correct in that the District does have an obligation to protect endangered species threatened by coyotes in our wetlands and preserves. He just did not explain the when/where/and how the District will arrange for that trapping, should they determine it is necessary in those untamed areas of The Villages.

Bottom line, both responses delivered the same message using a different approach. That message is “Coyotes are here. The District will meet its legal obligations to protect endangered species in wetlands and preserves. Your property is your concern. Deal with it.”

Well explained, Bryan. The district/developers aren't our mother.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Kitty Litter

First, I would like to say that I can't imagine watching your dog being snatched by another animal. My heart goes out to that family. What if the animal that carried off that dog was an eagle or owl? Would everyone want to start killing these animals as well? I'm sure many of the cats that have gone missing were killed by birds of prey. I love the Villages not only for the lifestyle but also for all of the wild life that we get to enjoy. Watch your pets and leave the coyotes alone.

I know birds of prey get ducks and rabbits and imagine they could get small dogs as well. There have been some falcons in the neighborhood we have been here in Lynnhaven. I hope no one would be stupid enough to shoot at a bird of prey carrying away a dog as you do not know where your bullet will go even if it hits the bird.

I just do not like coyotes wandering in residential areas of the Villages. They are very worthwhile to have in wildlife preserves for the most part. They hunt mice, rats, snakes, etc. This does seem to be a problem all over the US. Living with coyotes - This is Reno But, the Villages seems very unique in how big it is and how quickly developed.

[MDLNB]

An interesting read regarding coyotes: http://myfwc.com/media/1228800/Coyot...PaperFinal.pdf

They are "naturalized" not native. Meaning, they were imported to Florida.

According to the paper, they can be legally be killed but it requires a license to trap them, hunt them at night or transport them.

I have some experience with coyotes on my property in NC. One barked and harassed my wife when she was taking the trash out, but did not attack. He/she was still there when I quickly responded and it barked at me. I moved toward it shouting, causing it to retreat into the woods, and it kept barking as it slowly retreated. I have had many of them travel through my yard as I watched, totally unconcerned with my presence. I have also seen them chasing a deer, and then later finding a deer carcass nearby. I had grandchildren playing nearby so I always carried a weapon with me, just in case needed.

I don't fear coyotes, but I do respect them. I don't worry about them here because I live in a walled courtyard villa. I have yet to observe a coyote here, but unless it is sick or really starving, I doubt it would blatantly attack me. But, since I do not walk a small dog, I doubt it would be interested. I love animals (all of them) so I would not bother with one unless it attacked someone nearby. If so, I would be inclined to kill it, if no other solution presented itself. I think coyotes are beautiful animals, but should be treated with respect. They are wild and untamed, so they should be treated as such.

Walking a pet at night is kind of like a girl walking city alleys. Bait for predators. Just my opinion.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by MDLNB

An interesting read regarding coyotes: http://myfwc.com/media/1228800/Coyot...PaperFinal.pdf

They are "naturalized" not native. Meaning, they were imported to Florida.

According to the paper, they can be legally be killed but it requires a license to trap them, hunt them at night or transport them.

I have some experience with coyotes on my property in NC. One barked and harassed my wife when she was taking the trash out, but did not attack. He/she was still there when I quickly responded and it barked at me. I moved toward it shouting, causing it to retreat into the woods, and it kept barking as it slowly retreated. I have had many of them travel through my yard as I watched, totally unconcerned with my presence. I have also seen them chasing a deer, and then later finding a deer carcass nearby. I had grandchildren playing nearby so I always carried a weapon with me, just in case needed.

I don't fear coyotes, but I do respect them. I don't worry about them here because I live in a walled courtyard villa. I have yet to observe a coyote here, but unless it is sick or really starving, I doubt it would blatantly attack me. But, since I do not walk a small dog, I doubt it would be interested. I love animals (all of them) so I would not bother with one unless it attacked someone nearby. If so, I would be inclined to kill it, if no other solution presented itself. I think coyotes are beautiful animals, but should be treated with respect. They are wild and untamed, so they should be treated as such.

Walking a pet at night is kind of like a girl walking city alleys. Bait for predators. Just my opinion.

I no longer walk Beau anywhere near the ponds at night. He used to like go on Morven Parkway at night which has a very dark part of the road between a few holes of the golf course south of Pimlico Rec Center. Neighbors have seen coyotes there at night. I did see a coyote running near Lynnhaven Postal Center at 7:45 AM while walking my previous dog Sport but the coyote then ran twenty feet from us in a huge hurry to get across the golf course and into some farm land. It did scare the golfers quite a bit.

Sport tangled with a mother opossum in our backyard. I picked him up when he was inches from her muzzle while hissing at him. Opossums have the most teeth of any North American land mammal so I was quite scared of it. But, no call to anyone as the opossum and its young had a right to be there. So, it and its pups(?) would not be easy prey for the coyotes. https://youtu.be/Q73m7i-Cl2A

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Here is the advice I am taking:
Hill said, then, that it is up to residents of coyote-infested areas to take matters into their own hands. They can shoot them, if the law permits. Or they can try to scare them away, because coyotes, like dogs, quickly lose their fear of people if they aren't challenged.

[/url]

Sorry kitty, but the first advice scares the bajeebees out of me. We do not need older folks walking around with guns shooting in residential areas. Scaring them is fine...whistles, horns, yelling...anything, but No Guns!!

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by gerryann

Sorry kitty, but the first advice scares the bajeebees out of me. We do not need older folks walking around with guns shooting in residential areas. Scaring them is fine...whistles, horns, yelling...anything, but No Guns!!

It is also illegal to fire a gun unless it is on your property and the bullet does not go beyond your own property.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by gerryann

...... the first advice scares the bajeebees out of me. We do not need older folks walking around with guns shooting in residential areas. Scaring them is fine...whistles, horns, yelling...anything, but No Guns!!

with Gerryann's post.
I feel extremely sorry for the people who lost their little dog. But the dog wasn't leashed, and it seems to be an isolated situation.
Coyotes are normally shy animals that can be scared off by loud noise. I've seen coyotes in The Villages but they've been very timid.
I haven't heard of any pets being threatened while walking on a leash.

[MDLNB]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

It is also illegal to fire a gun unless it is on your property and the bullet does not go beyond your own property.

Not true. Using a gun in self defense is perfectly legit. I have been carrying concealed for decades without discharging it with disregard for safety. But, even if what you said was true, I would take the fine willingly if I was able to protect someone else, myself or your pet. But, I doubt you would have to worry about it anyway, since most coyotes run away from humans. But, just to be on the safe side, so that I don't have to discharge my firearm, please feel free to toss your pet to the coyote for a quick snack.