SARASOTA, Fla. — Sarasota city leaders are urging residents to be cautious after they say a coyote was spotted walking down the middle of a road in the Avondale neighborhood.
The City of Sarasota posted the video on Facebook, saying that the video was taken earlier this week.
According to FWC, coyotes rarely pose a threat to people. They can be curious but are also timid and generally run away if challenged. If a coyote approaches too closely, making loud noises or waving your arms in the air will typically cause it to leave an area.
Coyotes can and occasionally do prey on domestic cats and small dogs. Most coyote attacks on pets occur either at night or in the early evening or morning hours (dusk and dawn). To protect your pets, do not allow them to roam freely. Keep cats indoors and walk small dogs on a short leash.
FWC says residents should remove pet food and unsecured garbage from outside homes. Problems with coyotes can be significantly reduced if residents remove attractants.
Unusual coyote behavior or incidents can be reported to FWC’s Wildlife Alert number at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
