A spate of unexpected coyote attacks has left residents of a Florida beach town on edge.

Thomas Cathey, the most recent victim, said he was walking to work Wednesday morning along 6th Street in Atlantic Beach when he noticed something following him — not a person, but a coyote.

“It came out of the bushes and started circling me,” Cathey told WFLA. “I didn’t think much of it at first, but then it attacked me from behind.”

Cathey showed reporters bruises and bloody bite marks on his leg and elbow. He described wrestling the animal to the ground before it retreated, only after he delivered a forceful kick to its ribs.

He’s one of three people attacked within a 48-hour span near the marshes off Begonia Street. Earlier that same morning, another person and their dog were targeted. The dog managed to fight the coyote off but suffered a bite. The first attack occurred Tuesday, and all victims are expected to recover.

In response, the City of Atlantic Beach has issued a coyote advisory, urging residents to avoid leaving food outside, keep pets indoors unless supervised, and immediately report sightings to 911.

“Typically, coyotes avoid humans,” said Police Chief Victor Gualillo. “If you see one, make yourself look big and make noise to scare it off.”

Authorities are investigating whether the same coyote is behind all three attacks. Rabies has not yet been confirmed, but Mayor Mike Borno voiced concern over the animal’s unusually aggressive behavior.

Cathey, now recovering at home, is undergoing rabies treatment as a precaution. Though he escaped with relatively minor injuries, he worries for others.

“There are a lot of kids around here,” he said. “A child wouldn’t have survived that. That coyote fought harder than any man ever has.”

Wildlife crews have placed a trap in the area and are asking residents to share any photos of sightings to help identify the animal or animals responsible.

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(Image credit: City of Atlantic Beach)

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