Coyote Caught On Camera Near Uptown Charlotte: Watch Video

CHARLOTTE, NC — A pack of coyotes caught on a security camera near uptown Charlotte is putting a whole new spin on the concept of nightlife in the city’s center. The group of animals — believed to be as many as four — was spotted roaming around the yard of a South End home around 4:30 a.m. Dec. 17.

According to Donna Ragan, who posted the video online as a warning to others in the area with small pets, this is not the first time she and her family have seen coyotes. It is, however, the first time they were able to capture them on video.

“Back in September, my husband and I were in our back yard – which is fenced, and could hear them ‘talking’ to each other,” she told Patch. “We realized that they were actually pacing our chain length fence where we were out with our dogs.”

She said she posted the video to help spread the word, namely because there are quite a few outdoor cats in the Sedgefield neighborhood.

“In all honesty, they are probably being pushed out of their natural habitat due to development so they are finding areas that have areas of woods – Sedgefield is one of those,” she said.

WATCH:

Earlier this year, a Huntersville family caught their encounter with a coyote on video after the animal, which was believed to be rabid, attacked their car as they drove through their neighborhood.

"Saw a [most likely] rabid coyote in my neighborhood tonight," John Schroter wrote on his Facebook page of the Feb. 3 encounter off Old Statesville Road in Huntersville. "I was trying to scare it off from attacking the neighbors dogs and let it return to nature. But then it turned, bared its bloody teeth and attacked my car. So I called 911."

Schroder and his family were in their car near the intersection of Dallas Street and Ranson Street when they spotted the coyote as it growled as they spotted blood on its chin, WSOC reported. In the video, the coyote circles the car then attacked its front bumper before lumbering away.

Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal, such as a cat, raccoon, fox or bat. It is also spread when the infected animal's saliva comes in contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or open cut of a person or another animal.

Preventive treatment might be required for anyone who handles an infected animal. Rabies is a fatal disease, and vaccines must be started as soon as possible.

A sign of rabies is a change in normal behavior. Some animals become excitable, irritable and aggressive, while others appear shy, timid, calm and docile. Animals that are normally active at night may become active and visible during the day. Infected animals may also have difficulty walking or may seem disoriented. Other symptoms include weakness, paralysis, inability to eat or drink, drooling, foaming at the mouth, and convulsions, say health officials.

You can watch the Huntersville family's encounter here:

Have you seen coyotes in your neck of the woods? Tell us about it in the comment section.

RELATED: Huntersville Family's Car Attacked By Coyote Believed To Be Rabid

Photo courtesy of Donna Ragan