Coyotes Spotted Near Gulfport School

Special thanks to Gulfport resident Lori East for posting a "Coyote Alert" in our "Announcements" section of Gulfport Patch.

Lori East stated she saw two very large coyotes at the end of a cul-de-sac on York St. S. around 6 a.m. Monday morning. In the "Coyote Alert" East posted:

"This was pretty scary as they panicked realizing they were trapped on the other side of Gulfport Elementry's fence. One of them scurried by to the Greenway, while the other wasn't too concerned there was a human watching every move they made."

Gulfport Patch checked with the Gulfport Police Department and they had not heard of any specific encounters in town. They are aware that coyotes have made Pinellas County their home and have been spotted in Gulfport.

Gulfport resident Julie McNichol contacted Gulfport Patch, via email, following East's post on Tuesday and said she had seen coyotes near Clam Bayou, 45th St. S. and 27th Ave S. the past six weeks.

If you see coyotes, you can report the sighting online to Pinellas County.

What should you do?

If you spot a coyote and want to report the sighting you can contact Pinellas County Animal Services at 727-582-2600.

Pinellas County Officials have some tips, listed on their website, on how to deter coyote presence in your neighborhood.

• Never leave pet food or trash outside where it will attract wildlife.
• Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings. This reduces cover for coyotes and their prey, such as rodents and other small animals.
• Protect children. Although rare, coyotes have been known to seriously injure children. Do not leave young children unattended, even in a backyard.
• Protect pets and livestock. These are favorite prey for coyotes. Keep pets indoors, especially at night. When not indoors, keep dogs and cats leashed at all times. There is a Pinellas County Ordinance that prohibits dogs or cats from roaming freely.
• Avoid walking dogs during dawn or dusk hours, which are coyotes’ normal feeding times (Note: You may see a Coyote anytime if it is rabid). Avoid using a retractable leash. Coyotes will notice a dog walked frequently on an extended leash. The coyote will come back, grab the dog, and leave the owner holding an empty leash. When walking a pet, carry a stick, whistle or air horn.
• Use negative reinforcement. Make sure the coyotes know that they are not welcome. Make loud noises, throw rocks in their direction or spray with a garden hose.

Related Articles:

• Keep Your Pets Safe From Coyotes
• Coyotes Spotted in Gulfport, South Pasadena (Jan, 2012)