PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — We're giving a voice to a frustrated Port St. Lucie resident who told WPTV reporter Brooke Chau that she feels unsafe walking her dog in her neighborhood.
Nancy Wecklin shared photos of a coyote roaming close to her home near Airoso Boulevard and Crosstown Parkway.
WATCH BELOW: Port St. Lucie resident calls coyotes 'very serious problem'
Due to numerous coyote sightings in her neighborhood, Wecklin drives 20 minutes each morning to take her dog Dallas on a walk in Tradition Square.
"It's a very serious problem. I will not walk my dog in the area," said Wecklin. "I can see them right through my window in the living room."
Seeking answers from the experts, WPTV reached out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) about coyote sightings in Port St. Lucie.
FWC says coyotes have been spotted in all 67 Florida counties — living in urban, suburban and rural areas of the state. They also add that coyotes are an important part of Florida's landscape by helping maintain the ecosystem.
That doesn't put Wecklin at ease, "It's just not going to solve anything," she said. "A coyote came right in my driveway and was looking to see if my dog was still outside. This is a serious problem."
FWC encourages those experiencing conflicts with coyotes to contact their regional FWC office, as these animals are here to stay. To find your regional office, click here.
