[Kazmi]

Originally Posted by GeoGeo

I don't think trapping or shooting coyotes is the answer. Wild animals were here long before The Villages moved to the area. We probably wouldn't be reading these type of stories if people would obey the rules/laws and have their dogs on a short leash when outside their house. Coyotes and other animals are just doing what comes naturally. Humans need to take some responsibility for their actions.

I agree that coyote and other wild animals are just doing what comes naturally but we forget that we used to hunt them for our own food. Since we no longer do that how are we taking our responsibilities seriously considering our "rung of the food chain"? No species was here first - all species just continue to expand into common territory. With the larger number of offspring the population growth of coyote will continue to surpass the growth of others. At some point we will be forced to address this. I no longer see possum or rabbits around my house anymore. Both serve more purpose on this earth than just as feed to coyote.

[ejp52]

How about a .22 caliber pistol with bird shot??
As a last resort.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Kazmi

I agree that coyote and other wild animals are just doing what comes naturally but we forget that we used to hunt them for our own food. Since we no longer do that how are we taking our responsibilities seriously considering our "rung of the food chain"? No species was here first - all species just continue to expand into common territory. With the larger number of offspring the population growth of coyote will continue to surpass the growth of others. At some point we will be forced to address this. I no longer see possum or rabbits around my house anymore. Both serve more purpose on this earth than just as feed to coyote.

Your "rung of the food chain" post makes sense to me. And I'm a "bleeding-heart animal lover".
I've been advocating that people need to be more responsible for the safety of their pets.
However when animals are overpopulated, their litters start starving to death.
They get desperate for food, and act in ways that are atypical for their species, like hunting during the day, etc.
I don't know what the answer is, and I believe leg traps are cruel, but I think you are right.
At some point we'll be forced to address the coyote problem.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by NoMoSno

Apparently it's a misdemeanor charge, if unwarranted, from the article I posted and discussed with the sheriff.
Of course you would know your target and what's behind it.

I now understand why I was confused. The law was not signed until Feb. 24, 2016, long after I left law enforcement.

Yes, the violation is a misdemeanor. But that is still quite a risk. "A violation of this law is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine." -- FS 790.15

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by ejp52

How about a .22 caliber pistol with bird shot??
As a last resort.

My research indicates that the .22 birdshot round will kill a snake at a range of a few feet. Some writers say the shot disperses so quickly and is so lightweight (it is #12 shot, 0.05" diameter) that you discuss its range in feet, not yards.

They say that at 15 feet, from a rifle, it will kill a small bird, but not necessarily a pigeon. It has less effect from a pistol.

You might scare a coyote, but that would be about all.

Interestingly, there are several air rifles that would easily kill a coyote, among them the Benjamin Rogue which can kill a deer. However, I know of no air pistol that will kill a coyote. Incidentally, these powerful air rifles are not silent.

I argue against taking coyote suppression into private hands. If the problem becomes severe, the Morse family will probably take action. In the mean time, keep your pets on a leash and carry a cane or golf club to brandish at any predator you might encounter.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

My research indicates that the .22 birdshot round will kill a snake at a range of a few feet. Some writers say the shot disperses so quickly and is so lightweight (it is #12 shot, 0.05" diameter) that you discuss its range in feet, not yards.

They say that at 15 feet, from a rifle, it will kill a small bird, but not necessarily a pigeon. It has less effect from a pistol.

You might scare a coyote, but that would be about all.

Interestingly, there are several air rifles that would easily kill a coyote, among them the Benjamin Rogue which can kill a deer. However, I know of no air pistol that will kill a coyote. Incidentally, these powerful air rifles are not silent.

I argue against taking coyote suppression into private hands. If the problem becomes severe, the Morse family will probably take action. In the mean time, keep your pets on a leash and carry a cane or golf club to brandish at any predator you might encounter.

I carry a five iron golf club and have the dog on a six feet leash. I never liked those retractable leads. I tried to pet sit for a woman in Palm Harbor, FL with too spoiled very big dogs and could not get them to walk all that well as they were all over the place. I guess the neighbors of the woman saw me like that and I lost that customer in my pet sitting endeavor. She was a widow and those two dogs were her life. Still had other customers though.

This is a very good book on living with wild animals but focuses on many kinds of critters-- Coyote at the Kitchen Door: Living with Wildlife in Suburbia: Stephen DeStefano: 9780674060180: Amazon.com: Books

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

My research indicates that the .22 birdshot round will kill a snake at a range of a few feet. Some writers say the shot disperses so quickly and is so lightweight (it is #12 shot, 0.05" diameter) that you discuss its range in feet, not yards.

They say that at 15 feet, from a rifle, it will kill a small bird, but not necessarily a pigeon. It has less effect from a pistol.

You might scare a coyote, but that would be about all.

Interestingly, there are several air rifles that would easily kill a coyote, among them the Benjamin Rogue which can kill a deer. However, I know of no air pistol that will kill a coyote. Incidentally, these powerful air rifles are not silent.

I argue against taking coyote suppression into private hands. If the problem becomes severe, the Morse family will probably take action. In the mean time, keep your pets on a leash and carry a cane or golf club to brandish at any predator you might encounter.

Thank you for a voice of reason and source of information.

[Taltarzac725]

I do wonder how my dog park friends who lost Jon Snow are doing this week. Have not seen them back at the dog park since this extremely unfortunate and heartbreaking loss of this beloved pooch. He was a favorite among many at Doggie Doo Run Run.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

I do wonder how my dog park friends who lost Jon Snow are doing this week. Have not seen them back at the dog park since this extremely unfortunate and heartbreaking loss of this beloved pooch. He was a favorite among many at Doggie Doo Run Run.

I feel so sad for them.

I am sorry that I was skeptical of your report Tal.

There was a thread about coyotes killing our pets from about two years ago that included information with a picture of a torn up lanai screen that wasn't taken here. There was other overstatements then as well and incorrect information that frightened all who love their pets and pets in general, which is good as far as being very protective goes. But it skittered around the real facts.

Helene is very careful that our kitties are in, off of the lanai before the sun goes down.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I feel so sad for them.

I am sorry that I was skeptical of your report Tal.

There was a thread about coyotes killing our pets from about two years ago that included information with a picture of a torn up lanai screen that wasn't taken here. There was other overstatements then as well and incorrect information that frightened all who love their pets and pets in general, which is good as far as being very protective goes. But it skittered around the real facts.

Helene is very careful that our kitties are in, off of the lanai before the sun goes down.

No big deal, graciegirl. I have been skeptical too about reports of bobcats taking cats off of lanais here in Lynnhaven. These were a few years ago now.

I am a lot more scared of Beau getting hit by a golf cart or car as those are the injuries I hear most about from people going to the dog park. Especially if these dogs are on long leashes. Beau is on a short leash but often wants to cross the road because of smells on the other side.

Coyote attacks are quite rare. But the golf cart accidents involving dogs much less so.

[Kazmi]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Your "rung of the food chain" post makes sense to me. And I'm a "bleeding-heart animal lover".
I've been advocating that people need to be more responsible for the safety of their pets.
However when animals are overpopulated, their litters start starving to death.
They get desperate for food, and act in ways that are atypical for their species, like hunting during the day, etc.
I don't know what the answer is, and I believe leg traps are cruel, but I think you are right.
At some point we'll be forced to address the coyote problem.

I am too and fully agree that there's got to be a better way than leg traps. Unless people are willing to agree that the growing population is or will be a problem nothing will get done other than an occasional trapper using leg traps or moving the unwanted animal to another area (which does nothing to solve the growth problem).

[Sandtrap328]

Two dogs taken by coyotes does not make a problem. Remember that both dogs were off leash. One was let outside at 4 a.m.

The problem is NOT coyotes but rather irresponsible dog owners.

Leg traps would not be used in a populated area like The Villages as some of these family pets would end up in the trap with a broken leg. Oh, the irresponsible owners would howl louder than the trapped pets.

Personally, if I ever would see any type of trap for a coyote, I would spring it with a large stick.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

Two dogs taken by coyotes does not make a problem. Remember that both dogs were off leash. One was let outside at 4 a.m.

The problem is NOT coyotes but rather irresponsible dog owners.

Leg traps would not be used in a populated area like The Villages as some of these family pets would end up in the trap with a broken leg. Oh, the irresponsible owners would howl louder than the trapped pets.

Personally, if I ever would see any type of trap for a coyote, I would spring it with a large stick.

I know of at least three dogs that were reported in the Villages media which were taken by coyotes. There were two in the last three weeks or so and the third was maybe around late 2016. This was in Glennview. All three of these were grabbed near or on the people's yard. My guess is also that many people do not report their pooches being taken by coyotes or whatever because of the usual attacks on them by people criticizing them for something on another.

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

I know of at least three dogs that were reported in the Villages media which were taken by coyotes. There were two in the last three weeks or so and the third was maybe around late 2016. This was in Glennview. All three of these were grabbed near or on the people's yard. My guess is also that many people do not report their pooches being taken by coyotes or whatever because of the usual attacks on them by people criticizing them for something on another.

...and the common denominator is that NONE of the dogs were on a short (6 foot) leash.

You are careful with Beau and your statement that a far greater danger to dogs are carts, cars, and trucks speaks volumes. If all dog owners were as responsible as you, there would be no issues with coyotes, hawks, snakes, or alligators.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

...and the common denominator is that NONE of the dogs were on a short (6 foot) leash.

You are careful with Beau and your statement that a far greater danger to dogs are carts, cars, and trucks speaks volumes. If all dog owners were as responsible as you, there would be no issues with coyotes, hawks, snakes, or alligators.

If a hungry coyote wants your fur baby, a leash may not be much of a deterrent. There have recently been two coyote sightings in Mission Hills.