Rise in coyote sightings throughout Sarasota and Manatee County

Coyotes on the Suncoast
Coyotes on the Suncoast
Updated: Dec. 14, 2018 at 5:28 PM EST
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SARASOTA (WWSB) - “We’ve been seeing an increased number of them here in the last couple of months,” said Luther Sasser, an Anna Maria resident.

What Sasser is talking about is coyotes. It’s the same issue many local communities are dealing with.

“I think maybe for our animals, we can have a potential problem, but I don’t think they’re going to harm humans, but it’s hard to say,” said Sasser.

Just south of Anna Maria Island, coyotes have been spotted on Longboat Key, even traipsing along on the beach. Despite many sightings on the barrier island, the police chief says they are most likely only the same two coyotes people have been seeing.

“They’re not approaching these people, they’re not approaching any of our citizens or our visitors and they’re just minding their own business at this point,,” said Chief Pete Cummings with the Longboat Key Police Department. “So my best advice is to live your life without fear.”

What has surprised a lot of people are numerous coyote sightings in some very busy parts of the Suncoast, including near downtown Sarasota.

Adam Ziff’s home video surveillance cameras had captured a coyote wandering along Arlington Street in front of his home, just a few blocks away from US 41 in Sarasota. Other neighbors got some pictures of the same coyote just hanging around.

“He seemed to hang out on the side of the road, people’s lawns, minding his own business,” said Ziff.

We have received dozens of photos and videos of coyote sightings in Sarasota and Manatee County over the last few months. Wildlife expert Justin Matthews tells us, the primary reason for this influx in coyote sightings is because of all the development happening here on the Suncoast.

“They’re running out of land and they’re coming right in town and we got plenty of food in town because there’s a lot of people that feed stray cats and things like that at night," said Matthews. "Of course they will raid your garbage just like the racoons do and they’re just trying to find another place to live.”

The Florida Wildlife Commission says coyotes pose more of a threat to animals than humans. One Bradenton couple recently came home to discover the bloodied dead bodies of their four miniature pinscher dogs. They believe it was the work of a coyote.

“It was horrifying, it was horrific, I just lost it, I was hysterical,” said Kristie Young. “It was the worst feeling I can ever imagine and it was the worst sight that you could see.”

Experts say that if you encounter a coyote, there are some tips that can help keep you safe.

“If you have a small dog, keep it close to you, keep it on a leash," said Matthews. "And if you see a coyote just laying there, all you got to do is yell really loud and throw your arms up and he’ll take off running, that really does work.”

Experts tells us there are a few ways to handle this coyote issue. To trap and relocate them, possibly euthanize the animal if it’s become a nuisance, shoot a coyote if it’s on your property but there are different rules regarding that or just to learn how to live with them. Many cities and towns in Sarasota and Manatee County are exploring all the options including Longboat Key. They will have a two special coyote workshops open to the public on December 17th.

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