Cape Coral Neighbors Save Coyote Pup from Drowning

When Cape Coral firefighters got a call about a dog drowning in a canal, they had no idea they were about to rescue one of Florida's wildest residents.

On June 22, a 12-week-old coyote pup found itself stranded in the waters of Britannia Lake. The exhausted animal kept swimming in circles, disoriented and unable to find land.

Denae Judd heard yelling from across the lake before 8 a.m. that morning. She looked outside to see neighbors running through backyards and an animal struggling in the water.

By the time firefighters arrived, the pup was in serious trouble. Every time someone got close, the frightened animal would swim away from shore.

Judd knew she had to act fast. She grabbed a kayak from down the street and paddled out to help.

As she got closer, she realized this wasn't a dog at all. The scared coyote kept swimming away from her, so Judd changed tactics and gently guided it toward a nearby dock instead of chasing it.

"I just didn't want it to drown," Judd said. "It looked like it had been in the water for a long time at that point."

Meanwhile, a resident named Brian had already jumped into the lake trying to help and made the 911 call. Pool service workers on scene offered equipment from their truck.

The coyote eventually latched onto the bracing under a dock and squeezed into a tight spot. Firefighter Luke Endsley and his team dropped a ladder into the water and carefully coaxed the pup out.

After the rescue, the coyote was transported to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel. The pup arrived emaciated and went into critical care for assessment and treatment.

Sunny's Take

This rescue shows what happens when people choose compassion over fear. Judd didn't have to grab that kayak, and Brian didn't have to jump in the water for a wild animal that might have been dangerous.

Instead, they saw a living creature in trouble and decided to help. The Cape Coral Fire Department recognized both residents with Community Recognition Coins for their efforts.

"It's just kind of Florida life I guess," Judd laughed. "It's not every day that you wake up, jump into a lake and help get a coyote out."

Sometimes the best stories happen when strangers become teammates for a common cause.