A coyote in the brush. | City of Atlantic Beach
Published on May 1, 2025 at 1:42 pm
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A coyote that may have bitten several people in Atlantic Beach was found dead Thursday morning, but city officials warned residents to remain careful.
News4Jax, a Jacksonville Today news partner, reported that the coyote was found dead in a junkyard, apparently after a police officer shot it the night before.
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Police could not find the animal Wednesday but returned Thursday and found a blood trail that led to the junkyard on Begonia Street, where many of the attacks had been reported, according to News4Jax.
The city has been investigating four reports of attacks Tuesday and Wednesday. A dog that fended off an attack also was injured.
Atlantic Beach resident Ashton Kennedy told News4Jax that a coyote jumped out of a wooded area Wednesday night and his dog started fighting with it. Kennedy was bitten on the leg and will need a rabies shot.
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Despite the dead coyote, the city cautioned people to remain vigilant because more coyotes could be present. The city issued a coyote warning earlier this week and set up traps.
Atlantic Beach Mayor Curtis Ford has this advice for anyone who encounters a coyote:
“If you have a coyote on approach or growling, just stand your ground and try to loom large but don’t run, because sometimes that will actually cause a coyote to chase, so we’re on it but at this time we still have limited information.”
The attacks happened on or near Begonia, Jasmine and 6th streets. City Officials ask that you report any unusual animal behavior to 911. Report any sightings to wildlife@COAB.us.
Police Chief Victor Gualillo says coyotes in the area have been tracked since sightings in 2013, with a spike in 2019. The last sighting was in November.
“Coyotes are part of our wildlife here, living against the marsh,” Gualillo said. “It’s not usual to have the animals living in our backyard. It is unusual to have them attack. It is unusual to have negative interactions with human beings, normally they just run away. Which is what they’ve done for many, many years.”
The city of Atlantic Beach E-News sent out an email newsletter that included a coyote advisory at 10 a.m. stating:
- The coyote or coyotes remain at large.
- Keep pets indoors
- Don’t leave pet food or water outside.
- Check your property for potential coyote hiding spots such as under porches or sheds and consider trimming low-lying vegetation.
