A Seattle woman claims a coyote attacked her dog in her backyard and is warning other pet owners.
KIRO 7 News spoke with Christy White who said a coyote attacked her 15-year-old dog, Suki, around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 8th.
“I could hear him screaming from inside the house,” she said.
“I started noticing blood running down his neck. I was completely freaked out,” she shared.
White rushed outside and found the dog walking in circles near the front door.
The coyote left Suki with four puncture wounds around her throat, she told KIRO 7 News.
“I felt scared. If the tooth had been in a slightly different place, he would have been gone,” she said. “You think it won't happen to you. Well, you thought you had a little backyard surrounded by houses. No, he's fine. And this coyote. They're now… It’s very bold.”
White rushed her dog to the emergency room, where veterinarians performed surgery.
Thankfully, Suki is on the mend, but White is still shocked by the circumstances of the attack.
“I was totally surprised that it would come in such a small backyard, surrounded by houses,” she said. “I thought they should be afraid of us. But to me, this shows they're not afraid.”
Mr. White's backyard is fenced and located in a high-density neighborhood.
“I thought it was very bold of him (coyote) to come into my backyard,” she said.
White said he has seen many coyotes roaming the streets over the years, but never expected one to show up in his backyard.
Now, Mr. White, along with other neighbors, is being more cautious.
“He never goes out alone, even during the day. He doesn't even want to take chances,” she said.
“We've started checking every time we go out. There are lights at night so we can see. Well, as long as we're aware that they could be in the backyard,” she said. Dustin King said.
Mr. and Mrs. King have a young Labrador. Although she's bigger than Suki, King isn't going to take any chances, she said.
“You just have to be conscious of it. Making sure the back gate is closed keeps it a safe environment for the dogs. We try to minimize coyote intrusion.” He adds. , “She's just a sweetheart. And I don't want to put her in that situation.”
White and his colleagues are now urging pet owners to always be careful when taking their pets outside, especially at night.
“Don't let your dog out alone, especially at night. It can happen, so don't take any chances. It could happen to you too. It happened to me and my dog. ,” White said.
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife:
KIRO 7 spoke with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to learn more about coyotes and how pet owners can protect their beloved friends.
Officials said coyotes are not native to western Washington.
The agency says coyotes live throughout most of Washington state, from scrublands to alpine areas, as well as many urban and suburban areas. However, they are common in wooded green spaces and parks within cities such as Seattle and Spokane.
The agency says coyotes are most active at night and during the early morning and evening hours.
This animal eats a variety of foods, including rabbits, small rodents, garbage, bird seed, fruit, moles, and more.
However, if humans feed coyotes (though this is highly discouraged), the coyotes can quickly lose their natural fear of humans and become aggressive.
If you encounter a coyote, instead of running away, people are encouraged to stand tall, look it in the eye, and yell.
“You can also throw something,” the agency said. “If a coyote approaches, make loud noises, wave a stick, spray with a hose, or otherwise “haze” the coyote. This “humane hazing” helps re-establish the coyote's natural fear of humans. ”
However, February through July is considered “puppy season,” so coyotes may not be so scary.
Coyotes fiercely protect their dens. If the coyote does not respond to the “hazing” and appears to be becoming increasingly agitated, officials recommend that people quietly move away without turning their backs on the coyote and maintain eye contact with the coyote.
The agency also encourages homeowners to install “a 5-foot woven wire fence with extensions facing outward at the top of each post to prevent coyotes from climbing.”
It also recommends burying fences at least 8 inches deep, as coyotes can easily dig under them.
For more information on how to protect your loved ones and pets, Please click here.
