Residents in Miami Springs are on high alert after a coyote was spotted lurking behind several homes in the neighborhood, leaving residents fearful for their safety and that of their pets.
According to Yolanda Sauer, who witnessed the incident firsthand, the coyote appeared aggressive and posed a threat to both her children and her cat. "They're dangerous," she said. "They're aggressive, that's what scares me."
Sauer described how multiple police officers were deployed to her neighborhood in response to the sighting, including one who told her that there was a "very aggressive coyote" in her backyard. Surveillance footage obtained by 7News shows the coyote sprinting through Sauer's family's yard and approaching their pet tortoise, Bubble.
The situation has left residents, particularly those with pets, on edge, with many expressing concerns about their safety and well-being. Charles, Yolanda's son and a neighbor, shared that his family also owns African sulcata tortoises, which the coyote seemed to target.
In response to the incident, officials from the Miami Springs Police Department confirmed that the coyote has since been captured and there is no longer any danger to residents. However, they urged anyone who encounters a coyote to make loud noises in an effort to scare it off and to keep pets indoors as often as possible.
According to Yolanda Sauer, who witnessed the incident firsthand, the coyote appeared aggressive and posed a threat to both her children and her cat. "They're dangerous," she said. "They're aggressive, that's what scares me."
Sauer described how multiple police officers were deployed to her neighborhood in response to the sighting, including one who told her that there was a "very aggressive coyote" in her backyard. Surveillance footage obtained by 7News shows the coyote sprinting through Sauer's family's yard and approaching their pet tortoise, Bubble.
The situation has left residents, particularly those with pets, on edge, with many expressing concerns about their safety and well-being. Charles, Yolanda's son and a neighbor, shared that his family also owns African sulcata tortoises, which the coyote seemed to target.
In response to the incident, officials from the Miami Springs Police Department confirmed that the coyote has since been captured and there is no longer any danger to residents. However, they urged anyone who encounters a coyote to make loud noises in an effort to scare it off and to keep pets indoors as often as possible.
this is crazy! I mean, I know Miami Springs has its share of wildlife issues but this is wild 
. As a pet owner myself, the thought of some coyote sneaking up on my pup and tortoises is totally unsettling 
. And can you imagine having to deal with aggressive coyotes in your own backyard? 
That's just not right.
. Still, it's a good reminder for us to be vigilant about our pets' safety 
. Like, keeping them indoors during peak coyote hours or having secure outdoor enclosures is just basic common sense 
. I'm all for the loud noises trick too – nothing says "stay away" like a good loud shout 
.
. But yeah, let this be a lesson to us all: coyotes are not to be messed with 
!
But yeah, let this be a wake-up call for everyone - keep those pets safe indoors and make some noise if you spot a wild animal approaching 
... you never know when you're going to encounter a wild animal like that. It's understandable they're on high alert now. I mean, who wants their kid or pet in harm's way? 
.
. And I gotta wonder, how many people actually know what to do in case of a coyote sighting? 
Like, have they even seen those wildlife guides or something? 
Anyway, glad everything worked out in the end 
.
. But at the same time, I'm not surprised - coyotes are pretty smart and can be super aggressive when they feel threatened or cornered 
.
. Keeping the backyard secure, making noise while walking our dogs, and not leaving food or trash out in the open are all good ways to discourage coyotes from hanging around 
.