EL PORTAL, FLA. (WSVN) - The El Portal Police Department is warning residents to watch out for a coyote lurking in the community.
The department took to Twitter to inform residents that a coyote was seen in the area of Northwest 91st Street and First Avenue, Monday.
El Portal Police Chief David Magnusson said an officer out on patrol spotted the animal.
“I would just suggest to people walking their dogs, if their dog alerts to something, just be careful,” Magnusson said. “Hold onto the dog with a leash. I wouldn’t advise children to go up and start petting it and just give us a call if they run across it again. The coyote walked off when the officer started showing some attention, and we didn’t see it afterwards.”
Police said they have not received reports of the coyote attacking other animals.
“I’d be much more alarmed if there was a large snake in my backyard,” resident Joanne Hennessey said. “If we come to meet each other, we’ll go our separate ways safely.”
New video of another encounter with the coyote was shared with 7News, Wednesday.
“I just was in total shock because I’ve actually never heard of a coyote that far into Miami,” said Howard Tonkin with Urban Habitat. “Maybe you see them in like Davie or down in the Redlands or something like that, but actually right here in the city — I mean, it’s phenomenal.”
One of Tonkin’s landscaping partners came across the animal near Northwest 91st Street and Second Avenue.
“It’s found a nice, healthy population of peacocks in El Portal,” said Tonkin, “and I think that’s the game that it’s going after.”
Tonkin said residents should be alert when leaving their small pets outside but added that there’s no need to be scared.
“This is another animal that’s coming into our urban experience,” said Tonkin, “so I think it’s something pretty incredible that we should learn to live with — not be frightened of.”
Another coyote was spotted a few months earlier in a Pembroke Pines neighborhood near Northwest 15th Court and 83rd Way.
Residents in a Southwest Ranches neighborhood also spotted a coyote near Southwest 199th Avenue and Stirling Road last November.
In June, a coyote was spotted on the 16th hole of the Miami Shores Country Club. The pictures were posted by a local community crime watch group.
“This was at like 9:30 in the morning, and he was right there,” said Tonia Drago as she showed the photo to a 7News crew.
Police said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Miami-Dade Animal Control agents will not respond unless the animal is contained.
“Oh, my God. What are we going to do? Start looking around? I don’t know,” said Zane Perilus, a resident in the area. “El Portal is a wonderful place to be, but now we’re talking about coyotes?! Where is that coming from? I mean, seriously.”
Officials suggest residents call 911 and stay a safe distance away if they see the coyote again.
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