Grieving Miramar family warns about threat of urban coyotes without fear of humans

MIRAMAR, Fla. – Puffy, a poodle-Maltese mix, was part of the Melendez family in Miramar, so there was overwhelming grief when coyotes killed him.

Richard Melendez thought his 12-year-old son Adrian and Puffy were safe to walk together in the morning inside their gated community. In a flash, that sense of security was gone.

Adrian was holding Puffy by a leash.

“We hear like a commotion. He ran upstairs. I heard a scream from outside, and Adrian said they took him,” Melendez said, adding, “By the time I came downstairs, there [were] three coyotes already outside. One of them already had Puffy by the neck. His body was already lifeless.”

Melendez said they want to warn other dog owners about the threat, so they don’t have to suffer the loss. He is grateful the coyotes didn’t attack Adrian.

“If one of them was able to grab a dog, three of them can grab a child easily,” Melendez said.

Meanwhile, Adrian was still processing the traumatic experience. He and his family miss their cute little dog dearly.

“His fur was really fluffy … he would always run around behind the couch,” Adrian said. “He was a loving dog.”

Before the terrifying encounter, a pair of coyotes roamed behind their home several times.

“The backyard is just off limits,” Melendez said.

WHAT TO DO

According to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, coyotes live throughout Florida, and most coyote attacks are at night or in the early evening and morning. The FWC recommends a fence be at least six feet high to deter coyotes from jumping over it.

If a coyote approaches too closely, the FWC recommends using deterrents such as motion-activated sprinklers or audible alarms, shouting and waving your arms, using a solid walking stick, throwing stones, or using a strong water spray, pepper spray, or paintball gun.

If a coyote has lost its fear of humans, the FWC may consider lethal control measures. To report a coyote sighting, contact the FWC South Region at 561-625-5122. For information about coyote sightings in Florida, visit this FWC page to view a map.