There’s been a surge of coyote attacks on pets in Maitland, and Monday evening wildlife officials will hold a forum for residents.
Maitland is the latest area of central Florida to encounter nuisance coyotes. College Park also has had problems.
Greg Workman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says coyotes are predators that will pursue food sources like garbage and small animals like dogs and cats.
"Now that a lot of their suitable habitat is declining and shrinking this will keep them on the move and finding a suitable habitat to live and establish their own family unit. So that could be one reason why we're seeing so many of them."
Workman advises residents to bring inside all food sources including garbage and pet food.
The forum is at 6:30 p.m. at Maitland City Hall.
