Coyotes Attacking, Snatching Small Dogs In Chappaqua
CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Pet peril has struck suburbia, as coyotes have started snatching small dogs in another Westchester County town.
This time the town was tony Chappaqua, CBS 2's Lou Young reported Tuesday. "Sadie," a 9-year-old Hungarian poodle, was still recovering from the injuries she received when a coyote twice her size pounced on her – only to flee when people came running.
"It was like shaking her around," said Sadie's owner, Sasannah Fears. "My dog was trying to fight it for a little bit -- any second longer and she would've been dead."
Animal trappers said a coyote den likely has been established nearby, and its members consider other canines to be competition – and occasionally food.
"They're having they're pups; they're getting a little more protective of their territories," said animal trapper Jim Horton. "You know you leave you little fluffy out in the yard and they're going to take advantage."
That was what presumably happened to a miniature golden poodle named "Ruby" on May 5 -- a yelp, sudden rustling, and dead silence.
"There was no sign of her," said dog owner Griffen Dresner. "One moment she was there, the next moment she was just gone."
The experts told CBS 2 this happens when coyotes are allowed to get too comfortable in a residential area, when humans are too passive or friendly. It already has happened in Greenwich and Rye Brook in recent years, and this year, it's Chappaqua's turn.
"It's more territorial conflict, but we've found carcasses of dogs -- little dogs -- all chewed up," Horton said. "They eat them."
The trend has sparked major concern.
"We're very cautious now," Fears said. "We'll never let her out alone again."
Expert said that is a good plan until the Town of Chappaqua decides to hire someone to find and remove the offending coyote or coyotes.
Meanwhile, a meeting is scheduled at the New Castle Town Hall in Chappaqua on Wednesday night to discuss what to do about the coyote problem.
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