Miami Springs Police Chief Matthew Castillo issued the following statement regarding the recent coyote incident:
As Chief of Police, my highest priority is the safety of our residents and their pets. Over the past several days, the department received multiple calls reporting a coyote entering backyards throughout the neighborhood. Residents expressed concern for their safety and concern for their animals, and we responded to each call.
In addressing this situation, we explored all reasonable options, including coordinating with the appropriate wildlife authorities regarding the possibility of assistance but was met with negative results. Based on the animal’s repeated presence in residential areas, it was determined that the coyote posed an increasing safety risk to the community. I wasn’t willing to risk the safety of our residents.Â
On Friday night, we responded to another call from a concerned neighbor who reported the coyote in his backyard. The coyote was targeting ducks in the area. After assessing the environment and ensuring a safe backdrop, the responding officer discharged his duty weapon and killed the coyote.Â
This outcome is never what we prefer, but the decision was made after thorough evaluation and with the sole intent of protecting the residents of Miami Springs.
Nobody in the police force wanted to shoot and kill the coyote, but what alternative did they have?
Some say, “They should have had animal control capture the coyote.” While MSPD waits for animal control what do you think the coyote is going to do? Sit and wait to be captured? No. It’s going to be a coyote. An apex predator in a suburban environment. It’s going to run, jump fences, and evade capture. While MSPD waits for animal control, your Yorkie or Chihuahua may become dinner.
Think I’m exaggerating? Just follow the story below:
Make no mistake. Coyotes are predators. And they have spread throughout every county in Florida, but that spread is only recently. Coyotes weren’t here when Glenn Curtiss founded Miami Springs. You see, prior to the 1900s, Coyotes were mostly in the western half of the United States. It’s only after the 1900s that coyotes began to spread east of the Mississippi. Other animals like the endangered Florida Panther and the now extinct Florida Black Wolf used to own the title for apex predator.  (Yes. Florida used to have a black wolf, but we sadly hunted them into extinction.)
With the demise of our native apex predators and with the coyote’s incredible ability to breed and adapt to urban environments, they have spread like wildfire.
But let’s follow the logic. What do you think animal control is going to do with a caught coyote? Put it up for adoption? Of course not. Most likely, they’d put it to sleep. In other words, kill it.
Folks, we are champions for our native wildlife here in Miami Springs including our foxes, raccoons, and even alligators. And while I like the romantic notion of learning to live with coyotes, they are a clear and present danger to small pets and more importantly small children.
The police had a difficult choice to make. They made the right one.
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