Coyote sightings on the rise in Volusia County

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Some Volusia County residents are being more cautious with their pets after an increase in coyote sightings. 

The wild animals were caught on camera twice recently near John Anderson Drive in Ormond Beach. 

“I saw some coyotes across the street actually from my house in a vacant lot,” said Dale Douglas, who lives in the area.  

“There were some bicyclists and the coyote was like in the middle and he just kind of went around everybody and headed up this way,” Steve Morris recalled from earlier this week. 

Ormond Beach Police have posted a warning about sightings across the city. It says people should stay away from the wild animals and keep their pets safe.   Douglas says she thinks a coyote already got her cat, so she’s being very cautions with her other pets. 

“I’m careful when I walk with the dogs,” she explained. 

Jonathan Rutledge says he’s not taking any chances either. 

“I have a fenced back yard but I’m going to start keeping a lot closer eye on them,” he said about his small dogs. 

For more information about coyotes, click here.