Coyotes attack Denver woman, dog

Associated Press

Published February 23, 2009 at 7:14 p.m.
Updated February 24, 2009 at 8:33 a.m.

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February 23, 2009

8:09 p.m.

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stlusa writes:

That's not the only coyotes in sanctuary city! Get over it. These coyotes have the same rights as the other coyotes.
February 23, 2009

8:24 p.m.

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oceanview78382 writes:

Do people taste that good?

Can't a 75 lb lab protect himself?
February 23, 2009

9:02 p.m.

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Darwin writes:

oceanview78382 writes: ...Can't a 75 lb lab protect himself?

The Lab was attacked by two coyotes. I think you would have a hard time if you were attacked by two guys as large or larger than you and who also know how to fight better than you.

I've seen them while walking my dog. They try that sillyness with me than they die. I always have means to protect myself (yes, registered) and as ex-law enforcement, I am properly trained in its use.
February 23, 2009

9:04 p.m.

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slocatch writes:

Nothing that pepper spray can't solve.
February 23, 2009

9:12 p.m.

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jacka writes:

Annie get your gun
February 23, 2009

9:16 p.m.

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MileHighPatriot writes:

I'd love for some coyotes to try that shat with my 100lbs German Shepherd... or with me for that matter! Poor lady, though. Hope she carries a weapon next time.
February 23, 2009

9:23 p.m.

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bobdylanindenver writes:

Where's a loud mouthed liberal when you need one?

That's right, they spend their time on the RMN trying to insult people that don't agree with them.

They have enough hot air in them to scare even wild beasts.

Just too bad they're cowards unless they're in groups or behind a keyboard.
February 23, 2009

9:25 p.m.

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watcher1 writes:

Yeah, that's the answer, just kill everything that doesn't suit your lifestyle. So American.

Go 'yotes!
February 23, 2009

9:47 p.m.

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FCZ writes:

Hunting worked fine since the 1800's.

Trapping was done for thousands of years.

Bring back the tried and true.
February 23, 2009

9:48 p.m.

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MileHighPatriot writes:

watcher1,

no, just anything that tries to harm me or others.

The coyotes weren't doing anything outside of normalcy. They're hungry, and they look for the easiest prey... any idiot who's ever seen the Disc channel knows that, but it doesn't mean I'm just gonna let it happen.

Get off your high horse hippy.
February 23, 2009

10:26 p.m.

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OkeeDokee writes:

Coyotes living in rural areas have a timid surreptitious nature and would never initiate an attack on a dog or human. Living in too close proximity to humans seems to have changed the coyotes' normal behavior and created a monster. There are obviously too many coyotes and they pose a danger to human safety; thus, they need "thinned-out."
February 23, 2009

11:14 p.m.

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stoney3030 writes:

I was "stalked" by a coyote this fall in Thornton on a wooded path while I was jogging at night. When I realized it was right behind me I stopped and squared off with it. I'm a185 lbs male and was yelling as loud and forcefully as I could at it but it wasn't backing down. We circled each once and then I made the circle bigger and it eventually made its way off. It was not intimidated by me and I admit I was frightened by the experience. Wild animals that lose their fear of humans become a real danger. I'm an animal lover but also a pragmatist. I don't want to hear about a coyote attacking a child in the future. The population should be thinned out and they should be made afraid of humans again.
February 23, 2009

11:57 p.m.

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laughingman writes:

Give the animals guns.
February 24, 2009

12:33 a.m.

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WestminsterJ writes:

"bobdylanindenver"- Where's a loud mouthed liberal when you need one?
That's right, they spend their time on the RMN trying to insult people that don't agree with them.
They have enough hot air in them to scare even wild beasts.
Just too bad they're cowards unless they're in groups or behind a keyboard.

What the hell are you talking about?
February 24, 2009

1:22 a.m.

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BenchBoss writes:

To echo WestminsterJ here......

bobdylanindenver wrote:
"Where's a loud mouthed liberal when you need one?

That's right, they spend their time on the RMN trying to insult people that don't agree with them.

They have enough hot air in them to scare even wild beasts.

Just too bad they're cowards unless they're in groups or behind a keyboard."

Speaking of.... step away from the keyboard. Take your meds. No need for a group of liberals to insult you when you're perfectly capable of embarassing yourself.

Back to the topic at hand, there are scores of foxes and coyotes in this neighborhood of South Denver. Our 70 lb. black lab is a classic Omega, runt-of-the-litter wimp. She'd wanna make friends or get beat up trying. Not a bad thing - just who she is.
February 24, 2009

2:29 a.m.

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Rangerjoe1 writes:

The coyotes are "Just trying to get ahead". Sorry Denver, the looper could care less about Colorado workers, we could careless about some little coyote that was just hungry. Hey
milehighP. my two shepard use to play tag with the coytes up in Bailey, they tagged afew.
February 24, 2009

6:16 a.m.

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lastcowboy writes:

In 1977 during that drought a lot of coyotes moved into LA. A cousin of mine sent back to CO for trapping supplies and his Uncle went out to teach him how to trap. The neighbors tried to stop him, then a little girl was killed and eaten. After that all his neighbors wanted him to trap in their yards. He caught 70 before they left the area.
All the evidence shows that there are a lot in Denver. This is only going to get worse.
February 24, 2009

6:23 a.m.

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Ike writes:

bobdylanindenver gives us yet another reason to not type when you're drinkin'. Any reponse beyond this simple observation will only dignify his inane comment.

Coyotes here in Lakewood seem to be well fed and I regularly observe them cruising the green belts and creeks looking for an easy meal. Here kitty, kitty! One wack-a-doo living near us close to Bear Creek actually leaves food out for them. Carry pepper spray or a pick handle when walking your dog or jogging takes care of any issues with coyotes or troublesome people for that matter.
February 24, 2009

6:27 a.m.

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Barbarosa writes:

Too bad they're not good to eat is all I've got to say. But their fur is still valuable.
February 24, 2009

6:52 a.m.

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V_twinMan writes:

This behavior is not normal for coyotes, although not afraid of humans they usually will not aproach them, especially with a 75 lb. dog.Typically adult southern coyotes do not exceed 45 lbs. There is an abundant supply of mice, rabbits, prarie dogs,and other food supplies to sustain a normal population of these predators, the only explanation for this type of behavior can be overpopulation.
February 24, 2009

9:05 a.m.

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johnson writes:

Put the bounty back on them. I could use the money. Coyote season is year 'round. Just need a small game license.
February 24, 2009

9:14 a.m.

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johnson writes:

Oh, and there's no bag limit.
February 24, 2009

9:15 a.m.

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datbinnurick writes:

I really want to know how long until this issue is dramatically addressed!!! I am somewhat afraid as I walk the trail by my house at least 2 times a day with my dogs... A bunch of you said guns, but on most trails those are illegal (and they should be for the obvious reasons) - so what options do I/we have? They jump fences and eat pets, they come right into the neighborhoods and they stalk you on the trails... Seriously how can I protect myself and my dogs?? Any suggestions other than throw a rock at the animal?!?
February 24, 2009

9:20 a.m.

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johnson writes:

oceanview78382 writes: ..".Can't a 75 lb lab protect himself?
The Lab was attacked by two coyotes. I think you would have a hard time if you were attacked by two guys as large or larger than you and who also know how to fight better than you."
Coyotes on average are only about 45 pounds. A 75 lb.'er would be a record for Colorado..
February 24, 2009

9:22 a.m.

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Andy writes:

"...then a little girl was killed and eaten."

That was 1981 and the little girl was not eaten. It's to date the only fatal coyote attack on record.
February 24, 2009

9:24 a.m.

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Andy writes:

"I always have means to protect myself (yes, registered) and as ex-law enforcement, I am properly trained in its use."

I think I'd prefer you arm yourself with pepper spray. As you know, discharging a firearm in a populated area is best avoided.
February 24, 2009

9:26 a.m.

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Andy writes:

Another solution: fill a squirt gun with ammonia. You don't even have to hit the animal for it to have the desired effect (this works with aggressive dogs, too). It's very unpleasant for the animal, but it doesn't do any permanent damage.
February 24, 2009

9:53 a.m.

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JluvDC writes:

No mention of rabies? That would be my first concern.
February 24, 2009

10:02 a.m.

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NotUrFriend writes:

It doesn't matter if the lab was 75 pounds or 150 pounds. A dog doesn't have a killer instinct that's honed on a daily basis for survival: A coyote does.

So its very unfair to say that a dog should be able to take care of itself any better than a woman can. I lost my Rottie girl a few months back and I KNOW she could and WOULD happily have attacked those coyotes. I have little doubt she could have fought them back by herself (she killed a handful of Raccoons a few years back) but I'd of still jumped in.

I now have my mutt who I know has NEVER been in a fight and would only fight back at the point in which it would be too late to do her much good. So in that situation it'd be unfair to say she could deal with them.

I am glad it ended as it did and not worse. If a coyote attacked me I'd fight back and, if necessary, kill it. But it's yet to come to that.
February 24, 2009

10:10 a.m.

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gs writes:

State wildlife would check to make sure she knew what a coyote looks like and for sure that it was one wouldn't they?
February 24, 2009

10:28 a.m.

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datbinnurick writes:

GS - no it was 3 dogs from the neighborhood that got out - thought it might be fun to attack and blame it on the coyotes!
February 24, 2009

11:11 a.m.

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Kaliwag writes:

Sad story for the woman and her lab - I hope they both fully recover and I hope that she is able to avoid painful rabies shots.

We had a similar incident when a coyote came out of the woods and started to follow us. My golden retrievers stopped and looked as the coyote circled us to get a better smell. After several seconds I was concerned that the coyote was not backing away and it didn’t seem concerned about being out-numbered three to one. I continued to hold-back my dogs as I didn’t think they knew what they were in for and I couldn’t see anything good coming out of it if I let them mix it up with an animal that attacks/kills out of instinct.

I yelled, stomped, and threw some rocks at it and fortunately it was enough to get it to leave. Can’t fault a wild animal for being a wild animal……

In 9 years of daily walking my dogs, this was the only incident we had with coyotes and fortunately it ended without a problem. Ironically, in the same period of time, we have had at least 4 or 5 times where a homeowner’s dog came out of their yard and into the street to start a fight. More blood spilled by domestic attacks that by wild animals.
February 24, 2009

11:29 a.m.

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EBone writes:

MileHighPatriot I'd like to see some coyotes try that with you and your 100 lb German Shephard (well, not so much your poor dog), too. These are wild animals, not Cocker Spaniels. Your lack of respect for that fact will come back to bite you one day. At least I hope it does, dumbkopf.
February 24, 2009

11:30 a.m.

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jersey writes:

With the constant expansion of urban sprawl into natural habitats it's not surprising. Just like providing room service! Glad neither the lady or her dog by all indications were seriously injured.
February 24, 2009

12:08 p.m.

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NotUrFriend writes:

Ebone,

Have a lil' humility man! You don't wish for bad things (deserved or otherwise) to happen to other people (dogs too, their people too). Your right that it's a bit foolish to put a domesticated dog into a serious fight against a wild animal that kills daily to live, rather the dog is 'tough' or not.

Some dogs carry that killer instinct but the vast majority does not. It's why their pets and not hunters.
I.
February 24, 2009

12:18 p.m.

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GILPINMAN writes:

Coyote pelts are worth about $18 each "skinned" right now. sounds like easy $ and you help out the community.
February 24, 2009

12:24 p.m.

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Cwillyrun1 writes:

Should people be surprised when humans keep taking away wildlife habitat so we (they) can live there and something like this happens? It's why I get disgusted with people in Boulder that leave their dogs or cats out and then they cry when their animal gets attacked by a Mountain Lion. I have sympathy for anyone losing an animal, but people need to use common sense. Don't feed wildlife...... don't leave anything out that wildlife will consider as a food source, and take something along for protection when walking in corridors that contain wildlife (paths or greenbelts). The Coyotes are going on instinct, and hunger may force them to do something they normally wouldn't.

I have a greenbelt behind my house, and I've seen deer, foxes and coyotes there. I have two dogs, a Boxer and a Great Dane. The Coyotes won't even come close to my yard, and there hasn't been any danger from them with anyone in the neighborhood.
February 24, 2009

12:36 p.m.

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leatherneck writes:

Colorado Division of Wildlife officers better get this problem under control. It is obvious to everyone that coyotes have ran out of their natural habbitat and are overpopulated. They are no longer staying away from human activities. These attacks are happening more and more. What is it going to take??..........a Child being seriously injured or killed. They have to be trapped and thinned out or maybe relocated to the high country or Nebraska somewhere.
February 24, 2009

12:38 p.m.

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Triumph writes:

Last December I had two coyotes following me in the Crown Hill Cemetery area.
I had my 120 lb German Shepard with me and finally turned him lose on them and he tore one of them a new one. As I pulled him off of the coyote I gave him a good kick in the gut and he ran off limping. I wish I could have let my dog finish him off. I wish I could also sic my dog on a bleeding heart coyote lover.
February 24, 2009

1:01 p.m.

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jersey writes:

Triumph: Just curious, do you still own the star of "Rin Tin Tin"? Also, was your last sentence absolutely necessary?
February 24, 2009

1:13 p.m.

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HankReardon writes:

Werewolves?
February 24, 2009

1:22 p.m.

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Triumph writes:

Jersey
Rin Tin Tin was a great dog and not a worthless sissy like that poor womans Lab. My dog's parents were imported from Germany and is AKC registered and has been trained to be a good family dog and protector when commanded.

Yes my last sentence was absolutely necessary to send a message to people like you who won't be satisfied until one of these agressive predators kills a child. Then maybe the state wildlife officials will start shooting them instead of telling us not to feed them and the other excuses they use to avoid doing their job.
February 24, 2009

1:34 p.m.

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laughingman writes:

Too bad your skin isnt worth anything at all, Triumph. What a waste of skin it is....
February 24, 2009

1:53 p.m.

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Biff writes:

What people don't realize is that Coyote's kill domestic dogs that are much bigger than them on a regular basis. They bit their achillies tendon in their hind legs eventually severing them which makes the domestic totally useless. Fox's do this as well. I would take two 45 coyote's all day long against MileHi's 100 pound german shepard.
February 24, 2009

2 p.m.

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Triumph writes:

Laughing
I bet my dogs fangs can pierce your worthless hide like it does other varmints including coyotes!
February 24, 2009

2:23 p.m.

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BenchBoss writes:

As mentioned earlier, our 70 lb. female is a black lab is a total wimp. So what? Doesn't mean we love her any less.

Traditionally, people overly proud of aggressive dogs compensate for deficiencies in other areas. Insert sports car, monster truck, bad hair plugs anywhere you like. Wow. Your dog's aggressive. Good for you.
February 24, 2009

2:23 p.m.

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laughingman writes:

You're bravado in voice of your mutt only reinforces my statement.
February 24, 2009

2:27 p.m.

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stumanchu writes:

Since these stories started coming out, I have been on the lookout for coyotes in all the places I used to see them. Have'nt had much luck.
February 24, 2009

2:29 p.m.

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MileHighPatriot writes:

EBone, Biff, I would kill a coyote (on its own) easily with a simple buck knife. I'm not saying I wouldn't be bitten or scratched, but I'd win... so would my GSD one on one. . . I'm not so sure if he faced two given I don't fight him. He's a lover, not a fighter... but he'd protect me to the end.

Coyotes are useless unless they're in pairs or packs... which I don't even know if they do roam in packs.

As for foxes.. . CATS fend off foxes! You need to watch some more discovery or youtube.
February 24, 2009

2:59 p.m.

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NotUrFriend writes:

Mhigh,

Dogs are naturally protective of anyone in their 'pack' so I don't doubt your dog would defend you. How well it'd do against a wild animal that kills for a living is questionable, but I'm not going to bother speculating nor urging you down the road to find out. Only a fu*king coward fights or beats a dog.

I'd like to think my Mutt could handle a coyote but I think that's a tad unrealistic. Fighting another dog is one thing, because the fight itself isn't to the death nor for survival...Merely part of a dog's needed 'pecking order.' A Coyotes fighting for food, though if the fight gets to rough it'd give up as it does not want to risk potentially life threatening injury.

As for Coyotes and packs, yep. Their a natural pack predator that also hunts and prowls solo at times. But if you see one assume, as a safe rule of thumb, there are more.

And you wouldn't need a knife to kill a coyote as long as your willing to get your hands dirty and bit....

Being that I'd kill a man under the right circumstances I couldn't say it's not right to kill a coyote if the situation called for it, but it should be done with some compassion if possible.

I.
February 24, 2009

3:05 p.m.

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davies writes:

People, the end is near. Mock my words. 'COYOTE' stands for Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics. So when people choose to become gay and elect a communist muslim to be President, then Mother Nature starts to fight back, and COYOTES ATTACK.
February 24, 2009

3:11 p.m.

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NotUrFriend writes:

Davies,

................................................

First time I could not think of a rebuttal so I'll simple nod my head and agree.

*nods*

I.
February 24, 2009

3:21 p.m.

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jersey writes:

Call-Off-Your-Old-Tired-Ethics....People elect a communist Muslim President(sic) in being a precedent. A blatant paradox I'de say!
February 24, 2009

3:25 p.m.

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NotUrFriend writes:

Biff,

Some domestic dogs are naturally good fighters, with the muscle mass and determination to win and kill a coyote. Rotties are a good example. I'm not saying it'd end just like that, that it'd be an easy fight from start to finish. A fights hard to predict and can change drastically before you can recoup or recover.

But I know a few domestic dogs that could kill a coyote in a head on fight or at least give it a run for its money. However against two aggressive, hungry, and desperate coyotes I'd say not. One on one is one thing....It's another when your tag teaming a single fighter.

Still in any event I don't put my dog in any situation like that. She's my child and I look out for her well being...Which is why I have her in training. If something happened to me she should be able to move on to greener pasters...Which she could NOT do at the moment.

Just thought I'd toss my .02 cents in there.

I.
February 24, 2009

7:34 p.m.

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LS writes:

MileHighPatriot, if you're still around reading this thread:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_1...

Posted Feb. 19, this year. First paragraph. I'm sure your German Shepherd is a studly fella, but just so you know, he may not be as immune to attack as you might think.
February 24, 2009

8:05 p.m.

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LS writes:

Look. It just makes sense to have an awareness of the wildlife around you and at least some minimal knowledge of how to protect yourself and your pets from any overly familiar or aggressive animal, domestic dogs included.

People leave out dog food in their yards, or intentially feed the critters which is really foolish. They stack their trash bags out at night so they don't have to get it to the curb for early a.m. pickup, inviting these creatures right into their spaces. The coyotes begin to depend on these things as supplementary food sources and identify humans as providing the source.

We've had coyotes around our place for years and they've always been very timid. That has changed considerably since the suburbs began knocking at the back pastures in the past 20 years or so. We take care of them as necessary so they don't mess with the foals.

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Coyotes attack Denver woman, dog

Associated Press

Published February 23, 2009 at 7:14 p.m.Updated February 24, 2009 at 8:33 a.m.

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Published February 23, 2009 at 7:14 p.m.
Updated February 24, 2009 at 8:33 a.m.