Port Aransas residents said the coyotes live in dens in the sand dunes and come out at dusk and dawn to look for food.
Several pets reportedly have gone missing, and have even been injured by the coyotes, resident said.
Port Aransas has been a tourist attraction for many across the state, but some call Port Aransas their home, and its being threatened by coyotes, according to residents.
Teresa Yeager tells KRIS 6 News this has been an ongoing problem on the island, and has constantly gotten worse,
She said her dog was severely injured by a coyote and had to undergo extensive, and expensive, procedures.
“My husband hit him with a stick,” she said. “The coyotes dropped (their dog). My husband scooped him up and brought him home. It was almost $1,400 later that my dog is safe, and in the house now.”
Melissa Anderberg, who also lives in the area, had her dog snatched and it never came back home. She said something must be done.
"We have got to do something,” she said. “Whether we take them to zoos, or wildlife sanctuaries -- somewhere where we can be safe, and they can be safe too."
We reached out to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division, who tell us these animals are native to the area and are constantly looking for new homes and food due to new developments taking over their natural habitats.
“The more noise around, deters coyotes, “ said game warden Ben Baker. “So if you can keep those pets on a leash, and you're out there, and especially if they are not off of the leash, that will not encourage the coyote come and inspect it, check it out, see if it's food, see if it's worth the risk of trying to take that animal."
Residents want to make sure visitors are aware if they bring pets along on vacation.
This time last year we also reported about coyote concerns in Port Aransas. At the time, officials said the town's animal control department planned to lay out traps to catch them.
