Are Wild Animals a Concern in Carrollwood and Northdale?
Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan fears they might be. We’d like to hear your thoughts.
A Northdale dog went face-to-face with a boar and lost its life. Coyotes have been spotted in Original Carrollwood. Wild boars are roaming parking lots in New Tampa.
Those are just a few of the incidents that have Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan asking just what can be done to protect residents and their property from “potentially dangerous” wild animals that have been spotted in densely populated areas.
Hagan intends to ask county staff to look into the “state of the situation” when commissioners meet Feb. 6 for their regular meeting.
According to Hagan’s agenda item, he wants staff directed to “recommend an action plan designed to alert citizens of the dangers as well as advise on ways to best protect themselves and their property.”
Coyote sightings are not uncommon in Hillsborough’s populated areas. Wild boar sightings are also not unheard of.
Hagan, however, says some of the reports have been atypical.
“Recent and frequent (sightings) in areas of Carrollwood Village, Original Carrollwood and Lake Magdalene are very unusual,” Hagan said. “What is most concerning is their increasing activity in highly populated areas, which substantially increases the potential for a dangerous encounter.”
Reports about human and wild animal interactions have been “increasingly aggressive,” he added.
Hagan is unsure of what actions, if any, the county should take, but intends to ask Animal Services to report back on the situation.
“A real potential for danger exists and I want to ensure that our residents have all the information they need to remain safe.”
Hagan’s primary goal is to raise awareness about the increase in sightings and aggressive encounters, he said, and to “alert our residents to what they can do to protect themselves from injury and their property from damage.”
The commission meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
To view the full agenda, visit the county online.
What wild animals have you spotted in Carrollwood and Northdale? Do they concern you? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Cyrus
11:29 am on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
I live in Northdale, and I have been attacked by Hawks on three different occasions in the last year. They swoop in behind and give my head a good thumping, and leave behind long bloody scratches with their talons. The attacks took place while I was walking on Northdale Blvd., not far from Claywell Elementary.
Rich Reidy
12:26 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Cyrus - I live very close by and we do have a number of hawks in the area. One likes to perch itself atop my flagpole and watches the golf course. Although you may not be aware of it, you are most likely walking close to a nest or food source. Ambush stricks are the way hawks attack their prey, it is also the way they protect themselves from what they preceive as dangerous or preditory threats. Oddly enough, they will not attack while you are making eye contact, but the moment you look away, WATCH OUT! Best you alert your route for the time being, the bird will likely relocate as Spring rolls around.
Katy
2:06 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
An outdoor cat we cared for was attacked and killed by a coyote in our backyard in Carrollwood off Lowell Rd. Neighbors have seen coyotes in our subdivision as well.
Pam n Ted
6:21 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
We were attacked by a wild turtle, we had to spray it with the garden hose forcing it back down on all fours. We escaped into the house, before it could charge us again. Haven't been out since
Leah Wooten
10:03 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
As we continue to encroach on animal habitats they are being forced to look elsewhere for their food sources. They have no option but to come into established 'human' communities to survive. We just need to be aware and adjust accordingly.
rcarol
10:11 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Taking away the wildlife habitats will cause more sightings--where do you expect them to go when their land is being developed to build homes for people but leave the wildlife without their homes and the creatures that they used to feed on to survive!!