Sightings of sick coyote in Garner stir fear, concern
Neighbors in a new Wake County subdivision in Garner are concerned about a sick coyote that has been seen frequently in their neighborhood.
Residents in the subdivision on Glen Creek Trail has about 30 homes where residents have seen a sickly coyote when they were out walking their dogs. On Thursday morning, the coyote was found under a deck behind one of the houses.
The residents tried to get the animal to come out by shooting it with pellet guns and airsoft guns but it would still not budge.
They finally got it to come out from under the deck before it fled back into the woods.
"Safety is the top priority," said Kari Breed, who lives in the neighborhood. "We can't walk the dogs freely, we can't take them out to go potty freely, we have to have protection on us of some sort."
When a group of siblings walk their puppy Theo, they always bring their air pistol.
"I kind of feel like I'm afraid to take him to the bathroom because there's coyotes out and I don't want the coyotes to attack me and my dog," said Eliana Breed.
Neighbors who live in the Glen Creek subdivision say at first they heard the coyotes, but some girls walking their dog spotted one in their front yard.
"They ran in (and were) fear-stricken and said, 'Mom, we saw a coyote,' and they were so afraid!"
The residents called the called Wake County Animal Control but the officers couldn't find the sick coyote when they arrived.
The situation has left people who live in the area feeling unsettled.
"Neighbors have been carrying airsoft guns and pellet guns in case they come across the coyote," Breed said. "They're hopeful he will stay in the woods until he dies as they believe he is on his last leg."
"We are a brand new community (in) a wooded area," said Melany Paden. "We have dozens of kids here (and) families with pets, so we just want the county to be aware."
Jennifer Federico, the top administrator at the Wake animal shelter, said since the coyote was not aggressive it is unlikely to have rabies.
But Federico warned that anyone who sees it should stay away and call animal control.
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