On the typically calm Crestline Road, there's a new neighbor that's not getting a friendly welcome. "It's very scary," says resident Barbara Griffin. She's lived on the street for 43 years, and never seen a coyote before. The past few weeks, she and many others have heard the creatures. "It sounds like something in pain," she says. "It's a real deep noise." Griffin's family caught the coyotes in action several weeks ago attacking their family dog, Sugar. "When I woke up, I heard screaming from my daughter and granddaughter," says Griffin. Sugar was bitten several times, but survived. A 15 year old sheltie, named Maggie, across the street was not so lucky. Her family found the pet dead in their driveway after an attack. "It's like a dinner menu for coyotes around here," says Ruth DeVorsey. "One house you can have this, another you can have that."
Wildlife officers say it is breeding season for the animals. While they're generally fearful of humans, they do prey on small animals. Now, neighbors are warning each other and keeping an eye out. The Department of Natural Resources says there's little they can do about coyotes. Still, they tell homeowners if they attack a pet, they are within their rights to shoot it. "I don't want people with guns just walking around the neighborhood with guns taking pot shots at whatever," says DeVorsey.
There are few other options. Even fenced-in backyards are no match for coyotes. "My fence they could go over," says DeVorsey. "We just have to keep our critters company and hope this will go away."
DNR says there are several ways to keep your family and pets safe. First, coyotes usually come out at dusk, and throughout the night. Don't let small animals out during that time, and if you do, walk them on a leash. Also, store all trash in covered containers so you don't attract the coyotes.
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