Indian Harbor Beach, Fla. — Residents in a Brevard County neighborhood had a chance to express concerns over a growing number of incidents with coyotes.
People dealing with the wild animals in Indian Harbor Beach met with Florida Fish and Wildlife officials and city leaders Thursday night.
FWC officers reiterated it can trap the animals, but it’s where to go from there that has residents in limbo.
Residents said a pack lives near a playground in Gleason Park, and other residents said the pack lives close to the library.
Most residents agree that the animals should not be euthanized.
But the alternative is also a challenge.
Last month, Scott Fee watched his cat of three years disappear for good.
The cat was chased over his fence by a coyote, with another coyote waiting on the other side.
“The only thing they can’t do is climb up trees,” Fee said.
He shared video of the incident that started his awareness campaign in Satellite Beach and Indian Harbor Beach.
He said there are four nuisance coyotes living in a 2-mile radius.
“If it’s a concern to them, it’s a concern to us, and that’ why we’re here,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife’s Greg Workman.
Indian Harbor Beach leaders gave the once-suspended trapping program a green light, but is still debating whether the coyotes should be euthanized or relocated.
FWC said it’s the city’s call.
“This city, to my knowledge, has never had a position to kill animals. That’s not our role,” said a city official.
“If they would relocate them, I’m certain it would just give someone else a problem,” said Fee.
Relocation also required finding a willing property owner with at least 40 acres in the county.
“We’re 100 percent behind them, no matter which way they go, as long as they meet and check all the boxes for relocating,” said Workman.
Several residents said they found the meeting informative.
Others want to see if that property owner with 40 acres willing to take the animals can actually be found.