Margate residents concerned about coyote encounters – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

MARGATE, FLA. (WSVN) – Residents are growing concerned after coyotes get too close to feel comfortable in Margate.

Denise Devoti says she sees more and more coyotes behind her house. Although she is not afraid of them, she and her other neighbors said they are watching their little pets closely.

“Two of them were right there across the canal,” Devoti said.

Coyotes were filmed. Devoti was sipping her morning coffee when she spotted the pair behind her house.

“I looked up and saw a coyote across the golf course, so I grabbed my phone, started filming like I did last time. I feel like I’m getting used to it,” Devoti said.

She’s seen coyotes before, even speaking to 7News in 2020, the first time she saw them.

“Last time they said they were migrating more to those areas because the Everglades didn’t have a good supply of food and water,” Devoti said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said coyotes are found throughout Florida. They are found in every state except Hawaii, and encounters between them and people occur more often.

A pack of coyotes snatched up and killed Alan Moreno’s dog, Bo, just yards from his back porch in Tamarac.

“The coyote comes and runs in that direction, grabs him by the neck and drags him,” Moreno said.

Surveillance video captured the small dogs crossing roads and parking lots in South Florida.

A coyote spotted at Dania Beach has been humanely killed after people said he was aggressive with their pets. Although Devoti isn’t too afraid of animals herself, she said she does worry about pets that roam the neighborhood.

“I just want the neighbors to know they haven’t left,” Devoti said.

Wildlife experts have said if you come in contact with a coyote, don’t run. Instead, make some noise and they’ll probably run away.

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