ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. — Editor’s note: The coyote pictured in this story is not one that was involved in the attacks.

The city of Atlantic Beach is calling on residents to stay vigilant and take precautions after recent coyote attacks in the area.

In a press release published Wednesday, the city said one person was bitten Tuesday and another Wednesday morning, and a separate coyote attack occurred Wednesday morning in which a dog fended off the animal. The dog was bitten in the process. The city is investigating the reports, calling them “credible,” and added that they have been reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Atlantic Beach Police Chief Victor Gualillo said the bite victims are doing fine, and expects the dog to survive. 

The city also said it does not yet know whether it is one coyote that was involved in all of the incidents or different ones. The incidents all happened on or near Begonia Street.

“We have all kinds of wildlife on the island,” Mayor Mike Borno said. “Any one of them could become diseased. At this point we’re not suggesting the coyote has rabies, but the fact that it’s aggressive, we’re very concerned about that.” 

As of 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, the coyotes “remain at large,” according to the city.

In the Wednesday morning attack where no one was bitten, a dog fended off the coyote, officials said.

“This is a serious situation,” the city of Atlantic Beach said in a Facebook post. “It’s important for everyone in Atlantic Beach, especially in the Begonia Street area, to follow these guidelines carefully.”

The city urges residents to do the following in response to the attacks:

• Immediately report all coyote sightings and incidents to 911. Provide as much detail as possible about the location, time and what you observed. This is especially important given the recent attacks.
• Be extra vigilant and pay close attention to your surroundings, particularly during dawn and dusk.
• Keep pets inside.
• Secure all potential food sources: Don’t leave pet food or water outside. Make sure garbage cans are tightly sealed. Pick up any fallen fruit from trees in your yard. Never feed wildlife.
• Haze any coyotes you encounter to make them feel unwelcome: 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.
• Closely supervise children.
• Check your property for potential coyote hiding spots, such as under porches or sheds, and consider trimming low-lying vegetation.

The city urges residents to not do the following in response to the attacks:

• Do not approach or feed coyotes. This can make them lose their fear of people and become bolder.
• Do not run from a coyote. Running might trigger its chase instinct. Instead, stand your ground and try to haze it.
• Do not leave small children or pets unattended outdoors.
• Do not assume coyotes are harmless. Even if they seem curious or playful, they are still wild animals and can be unpredictable.
• Do not try to capture or handle a coyote yourself. Leave this to trained animal control professionals.

Chief Gualillo added that it is not illegal to shoot a coyote if you feel your life is in danger, but urged residents to take extreme precautions if doing so.