Oakland police: Beware of coyotes

Officials from the Oakland Police Department would like Oakland residents to take precautions that could help keep their pets safe from coyotes.

Although the department has not received any reports of a resident seeing a coyote preying on a cat or dog, some police officers occasionally have spotted what appears to be a coyote roaming around the West Orange Trail and other parts of Oakland, Police Chief SteveThomas said.

“Coyotes in this part of Orange County — not only in Oakland, but in this general area — have been here for quite a while,” Thomas said. “(Recently), some of the residents believe their cats have gone missing and that coyotes are to blame.”

He said a neighborhood watch captain in Oakland recently asked police to issue a public-service announcement that suggests residents take precautions for their pets’ safety. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers these tips to residents:

• When out walking your dog at night, carry a flashlight and use a short leash.

• Do not leave animals outside at night.