Coyote in the Park
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (129318)
Gainesville, Florida
May 20, 2026 12:43pm CST
On Sunday, I went for an afternoon walk in one of our local city parks just down the street from my neighborhood. The park is about 75 acres in size, and is shaped like a T. There is a decent size creek running through the middle of it. Even though I live within city limits, my area of town is suburbia at its best, heavily wooded, sparsely developed, and full of nature parks.
As I was walking, I spotted a coyote standing in a field at the edge of the woods. Not too big a deal, as I’ve seen coyotes at night quite frequently. But this is the first one I’ve seen during the day.
Another park patron brought their little yappi dog over to the field and let it off the leash to run around. The little yappi dog spotted the coyote immediately and made a beeline towards it. The coyote stood there quietly, but when the little dog got close the coyote got aggressive and bit the little dog. Nothing ferocious, the little dog seemed to have a hurt ego more than anything, but it was still interesting to see.
I don’t think the coyote was rabid, but I do hope the dog owner took the little dog to the vet to check for rabies.
What do you think could have been going on with the coyote in the park during the day? I’m thinking maybe it had pups nearby.
15 people like this
14 responses
@wolfgirl569 (137981)
• Marion, Ohio
20 May
I am thinking the little dog was extremely lucky it didn't become lunch.
6 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (137981)
• Marion, Ohio
20 May
@moffittjc I would say passing through. Protect kids would make it more aggressive.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 May
@wolfgirl569 Yeah, that does make sense. But aren’t they normally only active at night?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 May
I thought the same thing. You know those little yappi dogs think they’re tougher than they are. But the fact that the coyote didn’t grab the little dog and take off with him in its teeth lends me to believe it wasn’t out hunting lunch, but either protect cubs or just passing through the area.
2 people like this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (18548)
• Torrington, Connecticut
20 May
I would of took it to the vet after, you never know with wild animals
3 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 May
I would have done the same thing. You always have to suspect rabies in wild animals anytime they bite someone or something. And it’s better to be safe than sorry.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 May
@BACONSTRIPSXXX Interestingly, I just heard on the news yesterday that there is a rabies alert in our community, due to infected raccoons being found. But the alert is on the south side of our city, and I live on the north side.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (59989)
• Philippines
20 May
Wild animal and domesticated animal is never a good mix.
That is one lucky dog.
3 people like this
@allen0187 (59989)
• Philippines
21 May
@moffittjc true.
Never ends well for domesticated animals.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 May
I agree. Usually when wild animals and domesticated animals mix, the wild animal usually wins.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 May
@allen0187 When I was little, we had a pet cat. We lived outside of the city limits, very little urban development. Our cat was mostly an "outside" cat, he liked to roam around. One day, he came across a bobcat and got into a fight with it. I thought for sure our cat would get killed, but he fought bravely. Came home badly wounded and beaten up, but still alive. I think he learned his lesson about fighting wild animals.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (99361)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 May
I would rather see a deer than a coyote,
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 May
We have tons of deer as well. I leave for work very early in the morning and there are dozens of them grazing on the side of the road. I’m always worried one is going to get spooked and run out into the road. I always worry about hitting deer.
2 people like this
@Aquitaine24 (12237)
• San Jose, California
2 Jun
I don't see deer near my house, but I've seen them near the mountains.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jun
@Aquitaine24 I see so many deer around my house and in my neighborhood that I’m starting to wonder if they’re becoming domesticated!
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 May
I thought so too. That coyote could have easily killed the little dog. But I guess the coyote wasn’t hungry at the time.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 May
@JudyEv The owner was trying to call the little dog back, even though I don't think anyone realized it was a coyote standing there. They probably just thought it was a bigger dog.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (385337)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 May
@moffittjc Was the owner calling it back or just watching? I'd be tempted to let a coyote eat a little yappy dog! 
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (39465)
•
21 May
Wow I expanded the picture
That's a lovely Coyote
Hope it didn't hurt the little dog.
Rabies isn't common here, does America get a lot of rabies and how does it start?
I like Coyotes
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 May
@Ineeddentures We just had a rabies alert issued due to some raccoons on the south side of our city being found with rabies. Thankfully, I live on the north side of our city, so I'm not too concerned. But it always helps to be careful and be on guard for rabid animals when venturing out into the woods or natural areas.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 May
I’m not sure how rabies start, but it mostly incurs in wild animals. It seems like raccoons and canines are the most likely culprits. Rabies is common, but not widespread.
2 people like this
@Ineeddentures (39465)
•
21 May
@moffittjc
Keep it there Jeff
I've.seen dogs foaming at the mouth on the telly with rabies
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (123523)
• United States
20 May
Poor dog. Hopefully, it had its shots. I hate hearing it got hurt.
When I was fifteen, one day I was in the back of my house with the cows and the bull, and the bull’s eyes got huge. I turned, and three feet away was a coyote who just casually strolled by us. I have no idea, but apparently it felt comfortable exploring near humans and other animals.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 May
I’ve noticed the coyotes getting closer and closer to civilization, as I see them all the time at night in neighborhoods around me. I think I read somewhere not too long ago that they are adapting and becoming more urbanized, and many are even spotted wondering the streets of New York City at night.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (211242)
• United States
20 May
Stupid dog person. The dog could have been killed. Hard to say with the coyote. They are usually out in the evening
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 May
I agree that the dog owner shouldn’t have let the little dog run around off leash. That’s irresponsible and asking for trouble. And forget about the coyote, we have so many alligators around here that little dogs like that will easily become their lunch.
2 people like this
@Aquitaine24 (12237)
• San Jose, California
1 Jun
I see coyote in my neighborhood a lot.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Jun
Michelle, where are you living at? Do the coyotes roam the streets of your neighborhood? They’re starting to be seen more and more often in our neighborhoods here in Florida at night.
@FourWalls (87947)
• United States
21 May
Hungry? Couldn’t sleep because of all the heavy metal music playing? You’re right, it’s early to see them. I saw four elk out in the Smokies…not unusual, except they aren’t usually out at 3 in the afternoon.
You’re right, it’s early to see them. I saw four elk out in the Smokies…not unusual, except they aren’t usually out at 3 in the afternoon.2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 May
I’ve never seen elk in the Smokies, but I used to see them all the time in the Rockies.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
26 May
It was probably humiliated more than anything. It had a little blood on it, but I don’t think the bite was that hard. Probably hurt it’s ego more than anything.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 May
Yes, the little dog was very lucky. Thankfully, the coyote didn't want to hurt the little dog, so I guess it just gave it a "warning" bite.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (223812)
• United States
21 May
That little dog was lucky. My first thought about a coyote in the daytime was rabies. I hope the dog owner got his pup checked out.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 May
The coyote didn’t seem to be acting strangely at all, like many rabid animals do. It was a little weird seeing it during the daytime, but it’s possible that something disturbed its sleep (considering it was in the city). But I agree with you, I hope the owner got its dog checked out.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (60687)
•
22 May
I think the little dog was very fortunate to just have a small bite. I hope the owner had the dog checked out at the vet..and I also hope he/she doesn't let the dog run near the woods line. It's spring and pup time for coyotes and such. They can be very aggressive.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 May
I wonder if she reported the incident to the authorities? I haven't heard anything about animal control tracking down coyotes. I'm sure if she had the dog checked out at the vet and it tested positive for rabies, it would have been all over the news.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129318)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 May
@MarieCoyle I've heard many, many stories of small dogs and cats disappearing due to wild animals. That's why it's important not to let small domesticated animals roam freely.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60687)
•
23 May
@moffittjc
I've written about this before, I know it happens to so many people. Where I used to live for a time, I lived in a farmhouse on several acres. I was surrounded by farm fields and a creek with a woods. The coyotes were plentiful and I had to be very careful at night when I took my dogs out--yes, I kept them on leashes! I had a big farm floodlight as well at the time. When I first moved in, there was a large old barn. Some feral cats lived there, and I took over the care of leaving them food daily, and water, outside in front of the barn. I never left the food dishes out..once they were done, I removed them and took the dishes inside. One by one, the feral cats disappeared, and it was coyotes. I would go outside in the mornings and find (forgive me!) a little foot or leg, or a blob of fur...there were a lot of kitties in that barn. And the coyotes killed them all. We removed the barn later, it had wind storm damage. But the coyotes still visited regularly, to see if there were any critters they could eat. 
1 person likes this
