The District Office of The Villages has released a ⁤notice urging residents to protect their pets from potential coyote encounters.

Coyotes have been ⁤spotted in ⁣our area, even though they ‌typically avoid human interaction. However, if ⁣given the opportunity, they may target unattended pets.

In 2017, two dogs fell victim to coyotes ⁤in The Villages—one incident occurred in the Village of Pennecamp,‌ while the other took place in the ​ Village of Large trees.

residents are advised to keep their dogs on a ⁣short leash (6 feet or ‌less) and supervise them outdoors, notably during nighttime hours. Additionally,it is indeed recommended that cats remain indoors. A screened porch does not guarantee safety from ‍coyotes ‌and other wildlife.

Coyotes‌ have a varied diet that includes fruits, insects, rodents, and small mammals; however, they will also scavenge for garbage and pet food if accessible. To deter⁤ coyotes and other wildlife⁤ from your vicinity, secure ‍your trash bins, remove fallen fruit from your yard, ⁢and feed pets inside. If⁢ you spot a coyote nearby, you can scare it away by waving your‌ arms vigorously and shouting loudly. Using noise-making devices like air horns​ can also‌ be effective.

If you encounter ongoing ‍issues with coyotes in your⁢ area or need further assistance, please reach out to your ​local FWC office for guidance: http://myfwc.com/contact/fwc-workers/regional-locations-of-work/