BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — A Bay Village resident's pet dog was recently killed after a pack of coyotes attacked it when it was outside in a fenced-in backyard, the Bay Village Police Department said in a Facebook post this week.
Pamela Numann said her 13-year-old chihuahua, Colt, was attacked and killed by five coyotes.
“It's sad, so there is a big hole in our heart,” said Numann.
It was a typical Tuesday night when Numann’s daughter Grace let Colt out in the backyard for a potty break until she heard yelps coming from outside.
“It scared her; she came running out and was faced with five coyotes, like, attacking our dog right here in our yard,” Numann added. “She was so scared, she was shaking, she screamed really loud four times, and they finally left.”
Numann said coyotes had been seen around her Bay Village neighborhood and it's upsetting that the problem came to this point.
“Something needs to be done about these coyotes,” Numann said. “Why are there five coyotes in my yard in a community where we are supposed to be safe? I pay taxes; this needs to be addressed.”
Police said they are monitoring the situation and working with Bay Village Animal Control to "mitigate the problem." But are not aware of coyotes being a major issue in the community.
“About 3-5 years, we will get a call from a resident that they see a coyote, or an animal described as a coyote generally in populated areas on the side of the road looking for some sort of pray,” said Lt. Mark Palmer, Bay Village Police Department.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said it does not track the coyote population, and there's no indication of an increase in Northeast Ohio. If coyotes are seen in groups, it often means it's a family with young pups.
“We think the population is stabilized and that just means that there's not a lot of room for new coyotes to come in and take territories,” said ODNR spokesperson Jamey Emmert.
ODNR adds that coyotes are a vital part of the food chain even though they can confuse tiny dogs or cats for prey, which doesn't happen often.
“Interactions, especially negative ones, are really rare,” Emmert. “Coyotes don't want anything to do with us.”
Numann feels like Colt was taken too soon but is trying to remember the happier times.
“He would lick my tears when I was sad, he was my daughter's best friend,” said Numann. “He was kind of a warrior for how small he was.”
To help prevent similar coyote attacks on pets, Bay Village Police advise that if you have a cat, keep it indoors and don't leave food or water bowls outside overnight. When it comes to dogs, police said the best thing to do is to keep your pet leashed and stay outside with it.
The department released the Q and A of common topics regarding coyotes:
Q. Will a coyote kill my cat?
While it is certainly possible for coyote-cat interactions to occur, there are ways to help avoid them. The best way to keep your cat safe is to ensure that it is indoors and that you leave no food or water bowls out overnight.
Q. Will a coyote kill my dog?
Coyotes do not typically look to kill dogs. Most coyote-dog interactions occur when the dog is off leash and chases the coyote. The best way to keep your dog safe is to keep it on leash when you are outside with it. Remember, there is a leash law in Ohio. Also, most adult coyotes weigh between 25 and 35 pounds and they seldom weigh more than 45 pounds. Coyotes typically will not go after an animal larger than itself. Even small dogs often prove to be too much of a hassle for coyotes to deal with.
Q. What about attacks on people?
Coyote attacks, especially in the Eastern US, are VERY uncommon. In Northeast Ohio there has only been one documented “attack” on a person. That coyote was quickly trapped and consequently tested positive for rabies.
Q. What do coyotes eat?
A coyote’s diet mainly consists of small rodents. Coyotes will feed on any type of road kill they can find. Also, a large portion of their diet consists of vegetative matter such as fruits and grasses. Never intentionally feed a coyote.
Q. Why does there seems to be an increase in the coyote population around me?
The data from the Ohio Division of Wildlife suggests that the coyote population overall in Ohio is stabilizing. However, coyotes will move around and occupy new areas for several reasons. It could be that some younger coyotes are dispersing from their mother’s home range in the Fall. It could also be that your area has an abundant source of rodents upon which they can feed. If you have bird feeders, it is a good idea to make sure all bird seed is cleaned up off of the ground daily to lower the number of rodents around your home.
Q. What are my options for dealing with coyotes if I don’t want them around?
Coyotes are here to stay. Even if they are all removed from an area, other coyotes will move in to occupy the newly voided area.
There are nuisance trappers that can trap for you for a fee. Because you are paying them, the response time is usually very quick. There is no set fee, therefore it is encouraged to get price quotes from several trappers. A list of available nuisance trappers can be found online.
If you need additional technical advice, the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s Akron office can answer any questions, call 330-644-2293 Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.
Q. Do coyotes hunt in packs?
No. The only time you may see multiple coyotes hunting together is when the mother is teaching its pups how to hunt. However, even in these situations there is no coordinated attack.
Q. Is it unusual to see a coyote out during the daytime?
No. Coyotes have learned to adapt to city living very well. Especially in the Spring and Fall you will regularly see coyotes out during the day. In the Spring they are spending more time looking for small rodents to feed the pups. In the Fall the previous years’ pups are forced to leave and look for areas unoccupied by other coyotes. Because of their great adaption to cities, they regularly hear doors slamming, dogs barking, people talking, etc. So, they get used to those noises when they are out moving around. It is normal behavior for them to pay no attention to people. A good rule-of-thumb is that a sick coyote will look and act sick. They will have hair loss, stumble when they walk, or continuously approach and/or growl at people. If you notice any of these situations notify the police department immediately at 440-871-1234.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, here's what you should do if you spot a coyote in your backyard:
- Understand that coyotes are common throughout Ohio's 88 counties in both rural and urban settings. There are no wild wolves living in Ohio.
- Identify that the canine is truly a coyote and not a stray dog. If you determine the animal is a stray dog, contact your county dog warden.
- If you do have a coyote on your property, remove all "attractants" to possibly deter the coyote from returning. This includes removing garbage and pet food before nightfall and cleaning up around the grill. Coyotes prey primarily on small mammals, such as rabbits and mice. Small pets may also be taken. Keep small dogs and cats inside. Coyotes are curious but generally fearful of humans. Clap your hands and shout in a stern voice to scare off coyotes that are investigating your yard.
- If the coyote visiting your yard seems to lack a fear of humans or is presenting a conflict even after removing attractants from your yard, contact a nuisance trapper. Coyotes in rural areas can be controlled through legal hunting and trapping methods. See the Hunting & Trapping Regulations for more information.
CLICK HERE for more information from ODNR on coyotes.
RELATED: Breeding season, more snow lead to more coyote sightings around Northeast Ohio
Watch previous coverage of coyotes in Northeast Ohio in the player below:
