A sign at the dog park says that coyotes have been spotted near Garrison Road in Dunedin. Some of you might ask why it is important that people see this sign.
Coyotes will eat just about anything, but some do prey on small animals, which could be your dog or cat. I have one friend who was walking his dog when it was a pup and was approached by two coyotes. One came up on each side of him trying to get the pup.
If you see coyotes, report the sighting online to Pinellas County.
Also, here is a map for keeping track of the latest coyote sightings in Dunedin.
According to a Pinellas County web page on coyotes, these wild animals weigh about 24-37 pounds, and are losing their fear of humans. This makes it much more difficult to defend our domesticated animals against them.
People need to be more aware of coyotes and take responsibility for protecting their pets.
Here are some tips from Pinellas County for keeping your pets safe from coyotes:
1. Never leave animal food or trash outdoors. This is easy food to the coyotes, and they will never leave.
2. Keep brush cleaned up around your home to reduce the cover for coyotes.
3. Carry some sort of protection when walking at dawn and dusk (a coyote's feeding time). The protection may be a stick, whistle, etc.
4. Do not use a retractable leash during this time either, as your dog will be way ahead, and the coyote can have the dog before you know it.
5. Make sure you are supervising your animal, and do not allow your pet to roam at dawn or dusk without supervision.
6. If you come into contact with a coyote, use negative reinforcement such as a loud noise, yelling, water botttle mixed with vinger to spray or an air horn.
I hope this brings awareness to you and your neighbors to keep all of your pets safe.
Sheri Wilken
7:59 am on Monday, December 5, 2011
I live on San Mateo Drive (which backs up to Hammock Park) and watched a coyote run right down the middle of the street November 30th at 9am. It seemed to come out of the park entrance at Mira Vista and headed north. It ducked back into the park a few houses south of St. Andrews chapel where there wasn't a fence blocking it's path.
Kathy Collins
9:12 am on Monday, December 5, 2011
Very good article and thank you. I never thought about the retractable leash and this is valued information. Thank you
Traci Galioto
11:22 am on Monday, December 5, 2011
I saw one last week in the middle of Keene near Main Street in Dunedin. It was the middle of the day and it moved to the side of the road as my car approached it. We were about 20 feet away as it just stared at us.
Sandy
10:06 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
In Highland Lakes veiwed two Bobcats.
One approaced my sliding door after returning from walking my dog.
Katie Dolac
11:06 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
Yikes! How brazen!
Seth Newton
2:03 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Maybe we'll get lucky and find out that the duck hunters like to eat coyote as well! (http://dunedin.patch.com/articles/neighborhood-ducks-attacked-with-pellet-guns)
Jenn Andersen
8:27 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Two tried to eat my small Beagle this AM in Spanish Trails. They won't survive if they come back. Big dog fought them off. The city needs to relocate these animals or they will be gone.
AL
12:10 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Lived in Southern California and, sometimes, in my walks in the evening, would see 4 coyotes crossing the street - never once did I feel threathened....they avoid people. Also, they would come to my backyard to drink water.....I am a 5'2" female... don't understand what the big deal is... just don't leave small animas and children alone.... coyotes fulfill a very important role in the food chain... they get rid of vernim that may endanger native animal life...