Maureen Shaughnessy said she saw a coyote in her backyard in Atlantic Beach while grabbing something from her shed.
“I came out of the shed and that’s when we saw each other,” Shaughnessy said.
Action News Jax contacted the Atlantic Beach police and learned that Shaughnessy wasn’t the only one who reported a sighting to police.
Since May, there have been 13 different sightings of coyotes throughout Jacksonville. Five of those sightings happened in 2017. In October, neighbors in Neptune beach spotted a coyote multiple times.
Fish and Wildlife officers said it has been mating season for the coyotes, which could explain the frequent sightings.
Neighbors in Atlantic Beach have been posting on social media, saying cats have been disappearing and several were even found dead. Shaughnessy said education is key to staying safe. “People need to know their habits and all about them,” she said.
The interim city manager for Atlantic Beach said officials are developing a plan to reduce sightings. The city is considering hiring a licensed coyote trapper.
But some residents do not agree with the option, including Shaughnessy.“I don’t think they should trap them all that’s not practical,” she said.
The city said small, free-ranging pets, garbage, birdseed and fruit are common things that attract coyotes to communities. The city said coyotes are often not a threat to people, but recommends residents to yell or make noise to scare away the animals.
The city said is planning to schedule a community meeting on the subject of urban coyotes. To learn more about coyotes in the Jacksonville area, click on the following links:
- Coyote hazing guidelines
- A guide to living with urban coyotes
- Coyotes in towns and suburbs
- FAQs: Coyotes
- The coyote: Florida's newest predator
- City of Atlantic Beach Coyote Report
- City of Atlantic Beach: Possible Coyote Sightings
Cox Media Group
