SIESTA KEY, Fla. — Siesta Key city leaders are planning talks with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as reports of numerous coyote sightings and attacks are mounting.
Sarasota County District 2 Commissioner Mark Smith says the influx of coyotes on the barrier island is creating a "dangerous situation" for Siesta Key locals.
"Their populations are increasing, their sightings are increasing, their aggressiveness is increasing," Smith said.
Smith added that increased aggressiveness is due to limited food sources for the animal, leading to reports from multiple people of sightings, attacks, and even pet deaths.
"I think we are on the verge of a real crisis and we've got to do something about it," Smith said.
During a meeting, Smith announced that the Sarasota County Commission received a memo from the FWC on Aug. 14 suggesting a public hearing to discuss methods to trap and control Siesta Key's growing coyote population.
The board of commissioners agreed to the proposal, but a date for the public hearing is yet to be scheduled.
Amanda Simmons is just one of many Siesta Key locals who reported a coyote in her neighborhood.
"It looked like sort of a straggly wolf," Simmons said. "But a car was behind it, so it looked like it was being followed."
Now, when Simmons leaves her home later in the day, she makes sure she's prepared, especially when she's walking her dogs.
"When I walk the dogs here on the Key later in the day, I take a seven-iron," Simmons said. "My dogs are pretty small, so they'd make a nice hors d'oeuvres."
Simmons added that she's aware of other dogs that have been attacked and killed by coyotes.
"I'd like to see somebody maintain them somewhere and get them off the Key if that's possible," Simmons said.