Four coyote attacks reported in 2 days at Florida tourist destination, city says

UPDATE: A 60-day rabies alert has been issued for Atlantic Beach, Florida, “following confirmation on May 2 of rabies in a coyote” killed by a police officer, city officials said. The coyote had been seen in the area where multiple attacks on people and pets were reported, police said.

The original story is below.

A series of coyote attacks on people and pets have been reported at a popular tourist destination in northeast Florida, according to city officials.

The four attacks occurred April 29- 30 in a residential area of Atlantic Beach, and in each case, the coyotes escaped back into the marshes along the Intracoastal Waterway.

“This is a serious situation,” Atlantic Beach officials said in an April 30 news release.

“The city ... is investigating reports of a coyote biting a person Tuesday; a coyote or coyotes biting two people Wednesday morning; and a coyote attacking but not biting a second person Wednesday morning before a dog intervening.”

The dog was injured in that incident. However, none of the people attacked have required hospitalization, officials said.

“The coyote or coyotes remain at large,” the city said.

Details of how the victims encountered a coyote or coyotes have not been released. Most of the incidents happened near Begonia Street, which maps show is one block east of a wilderness area laced with creeks and marshes.

Coyote attacks on people are rare, but can be prompted when the animals are sick — such as a rabies infection — or they perceive people or pets are too close to a den with pups, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says.

Coyotes average 20 to 30 pounds and are known to be “extremely adaptable” and territorial, the FWC reports.

Residents in the Begonia Street area are being advised to keep pets inside, closely supervise children and avoid running if they see a coyote, city officials said.

“Running might trigger its chase instinct. Instead, stand your ground,” city officials said.

“Make loud noises like shouting, clapping, or banging pots. Try to look bigger by waving your arms above your head. Throw small objects in the coyote’s direction. Use noisemakers such as whistles or air horns.”

FWC officers are also investigating the four incidents, state officials said.

Atlantic Beach is about a 16-mile drive east of Jacksonville.

This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 10:11 AM with the headline "Four coyote attacks reported in 2 days at Florida tourist destination, city says."