PEMBROKE PINES, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have issued a warning to residents after a coyote was spotted in a South Florida neighborhood.
Pembroke Pines Police said the coyote was spotted near Taft Street and Northwest 196th Avenue, near Chapel Trail Elementary School, Thursday morning.
As of Thursday night, there have been no reports of the animal approaching people, but local parents and people who work in the area expressed safety concerns to 7News.
Area resident Amanda Perez was out walking her dog Willow when she learned about the coyote sighting.
“I had no idea there was a coyote out,” she said. “I would never expect, like, a coyote to be out here where there’s so many cars around, but it’s good to know now.”
Thelma Billings, a crossing guard, wasn’t too pleased to hear about the sighting.
“Uh-uh! I don’t trust no dog, nothing four-legged, OK?” she said. “I’ve been out here for about 12, 13 years; I’ve never seen one.”
Parents who came to pick up their children Thursday afternoon were pretty worried.
“Because coyotes are wild animals, so I’m afraid [for] my little kid,” said a parent.
Police took to social media, sharing an image of the coyote captured by a resident who spotted the animal in the neighborhood.
This is not the first time coyotes have caused concern in South Florida. Back in May, cameras captured a curious coyote as he roamed around an airfield at North Perry Airport, briefly shutting down operations.
Surveillance video captured one on the prowl near a swimming pool area in Wilton Manors back in July.
Coyotes can be found throughout Florida.
“Coyotes have made a good stake now into South Florida. They’re not uncommon at all,” said Ron Magill, communications director for Zoo Miami.
While experts say that coyotes typically have a natural fear of humans and will avoid direct contact, there is a potential risk to smaller animals.
With no way to get rid of coyotes, wildlife officials advise it’s necessary to learn to live safely among them.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, feeding coyotes is illegal, because they can lose their fear of humans.
FWC officials also advise residents to secure garbage, clean up pet food and fallen fruit, secure livestock and keep dogs on a short leash.
“I would take off and run,” said Billings.
FWC officials urge anyone who spots a coyote acting suspicious to call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.