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Coyote attack raises issue of safety vs. living with risk

Daily Camera

Published December 28, 2007 at 12:30 a.m.

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After a coyote injured a woman and attacked two dogs here, some residents believe the animals are losing their fear of people, making it tougher to keep them at bay.

A man whose wife was bitten said the attack Sunday in a backyard is the latest of several reported in Erie over the last few months - although the first that injured a person.

"These coyotes are getting too domesticated," said John Shattuck, whose wife, Janice, was bitten on the hand. "They're so comfortable out there; they'll do what they want."

Janice Shattuck is undergoing a series of rabies shots.

Shattuck said the coyote that attacked his wife was one of four that showed up in the couple's fenced-in backyard in this growing suburb near Boulder. He said the animal stood its ground with the couple's 3-year-old Maltese, Lola, hanging from its mouth as Janice Shattuck came out to scare it away.

Shattuck said the coyote lunged at his wife and bit her after she grabbed the dog from it.

The Maltese and a Jack Russell terrier-Shih Tzu mix, both of which were in the Shattucks' yard, were badly injured in the attack and were euthanized on Christmas Eve.

"Do you think you can cohabitate with wild animals when you have pets? I don't think so," Shattuck said. "I'd like to see the coyotes go away."

Jennifer Churchill, a spokeswoman with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, said the attack wasn't reported to the agency until a couple days later, making it difficult to find the coyotes. She said a wildlife officer planned to talk to the Shattucks Thursday.

Some Erie residents had been concerned about coyotes after a dog was killed by one in the fall, Churchill said.

"There is a certain amount of risk you have to take living near coyotes," Churchill said. "On the other hand, public safety is the No. 1 consideration. We don't want people to have aggressive coyotes frequenting their neighborhood."

She added that it's rare for coyotes to attack people.

The Division of Wildlife advises people to keep their distance if they see a coyote, throw rocks or sticks at it, and make loud noises to frighten it away.

Wildlife officials also say people should keep their pets on leashes and not allow them to roam, especially at night.

Comments

  • December 28, 2007

    1:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LeeAlbrandt writes:

    While living in AZ, my German Shepherd made a friend out of a local coyote...they used to play like they were old buddies (in my back yard). My Shepherd was always free to run anywhere anytime of the day...maybe he joined a gang (coyote pack) one night and just didn't tell me about it-- he knew I probably wouldn't have approved. They probably did run-by killings at night when I was asleep. Crazy dog. My Shepherd is a very athletic 120 lb ass kicker who has been wrestling (rough-housing) with his sister since he was born......I was never worried about him getting turned into a coyote meal. My dog was probably sad when we moved.....he lost a good friend. Ahh ha ha ha!

    Lee

  • December 28, 2007

    5:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    grace writes:

    I moved here from Illinois, where coyotes are also abundant. Small Firecrackers generally scare them away quite well. Doing this also instills "fear of humans" without harming the animals. They are after all a predator that takes care of other nuisance animals. Unless they are threatening livestock there's no reason to kill them. It's generally easy to not only drive them away but not attract them to begin with. Keep pest waste picked up, do not leave pet food outside, do not leave very small pets unattended outside, pretty simple if you ask me!

    Coyotes have been spotted in the city of Chicago and outlying suburbs. Discharging a firearm there is likely to result in some jail time!

  • December 28, 2007

    7:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    forwhatitis writes:

    We should poison them all. Vermin.