The new film “Coyote v. Acme” is a funny look at an animated coyote that files a personal injury lawsuit against a manufacturer, but encountering a real coyote on your dog walk — or in your backyard — is no laughing matter.
Coyotes live in all 67 counties in Florida, and all U.S. states except Hawaii, according to Eva Ortiz-Feder, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, who held a webinar in August on living near coyotes. The next virtual program is on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 7-8 p.m. at MyFWC.com/Coyote.
Coyotes can and do prey on domestic cats and small dogs, according to the FWC. Most coyote attacks on pets occur either at night or in the early evening or morning hours around dusk and dawn. To protect your pets, do not allow them to roam freely; free-roaming cats are at an especially high risk of being preyed on by coyotes.
The FWC has no data on coyote population numbers in Manatee County, but the agency does keep track of where callers say they see them, said Lisa Thompson, of the FWC Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. An interactive coyote map is available online with data viewable by location at https://tinyurl.com/yc5e5497
“Because coyotes are found throughout the state, we aren’t asking for members of the public to report sightings. However, we do encourage people to contact us if they are experiencing conflicts with coyotes and need further guidance, or to report unusual or aggressive wildlife behavior,” Thompson said.
FWC wildlife assistance biologists are available to discuss options with communities experiencing conflicts with coyotes. Residents can contact their closest FWC regional office at https://myfwc.com/contact/fwc-office/regional-offices/.
Several tips will help in avoiding coyote confrontations:
• Keep cats indoors.
• Walk dogs on a short leash (less than 6 feet).
• Be alert if you walk your dog in wooded areas or areas that have heavy foliage, where coyotes may rest.
• Secure livestock in predator-resistant enclosures.
• If pets are kept in a fenced area, monitor pets and check the bottom of the fence regularly to make sure that coyotes cannot crawl underneath.
• Secure garbage cans and compost.
• Feed pets inside or keep outdoor feeding areas clear of leftover food.
• Clean grills.
• Pick up any fallen fruit or bird seed from the yard.
• Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds to prevent coyotes and other wildlife from resting or denning there.
• If a coyote approaches, haze the coyote by making noise, waving your arms or using a deterrent such as spraying water from a strong hose.
• Be aware of unusual coyote behavior such as a coyote that has lost its fear of humans and is approaching people, chasing joggers and bikers or attacking leashed pets. Unusual coyote behavior can be reported to the nearest FWC Regional Office.
Reports of wildlife violations can be made to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Cindy Lane is a staff writer for the Tampa Bay Beacons. She can be reached at clane@tbnweekly.com.