I remember very clearly the day my friend told of how she and her 2 small girls watched in horror as a coyote carried off their small teacup poodle. Tears streamed down her face as she recounted how helpless she felt to do anything about it. The memory still haunts her.
My friend lives in a house that backs up to a thick forest. She let her poodles out the back door to play. She and her daughters were standing on the deck watching them as they frolicked in the yard.
Like a bolt of lightning, a coyote rushed from the words and grabbed one of the dogs and headed back to the woods from where it came. Her other dog courageously barked and tried to chase the coyote through the yard. Sadly, that was the last they ever saw of their dog again.
Heartbreaking! I have honestly not been able to get this image out of my mind.
I did some research on how to help with keeping our pets safe from a coyote attack:
- Keep your pet in a restricted area and do not let roam freely about.
- Go outside with your pet after dark.
- Even if you have a fence, do not assume that means your pet is safe. Coyotes are capable of scaling a 6-foot fence with ease. With invisible fences, although they serve many purposes, other animals can come in your yard but your pet will be stuck and unable to leave.
- If you see a coyote, use extreme caution. Although rare for one to come out in the daylight hours, it does happen. Especially if it is rabid. Most likely a coyote will not approach a human but if one does, do not turn and run. Throw something, move around and make noise. That should be sufficient to scare one away.
- Do not create an environment that could attract a coyote. Do not leave any kind of food outdoors.
Coyote sightings seem to be on the rise and are being spotted in more urban areas. It is important to just be aware and by taking a few precautions, you could save your pet from injury or even death.
I have attached a link for a coyotevest that may be able to offer your pet some protection while outside. (A photo of the vest is attached above.)