Coyote Attack

Auroralove, I can't imagine things would have happened much differently were it my yard and my mixed, but not bully breed dogs.  I never took your post to mean you were proud the coyote died as a result of the conflict or of the suffering it experienced before the end result.  I'm not at all pround Pofi has dispatched squirrels, but I know he is acting on his instincts (instincts I try to curb with training - I do NOT encourage squirrel chasing or any other small furries).  And while I think my dogs have exceptional recall, I'm not deluded enough to think there aren't possible situations, escalated by surprise and territoriality such as a canine interloper sneaking out from somewhere in our fenced yard, that would not challenge that training.

You need to forgive yourself for calling Rory's name - there is no telling what might have happened if you had not.  The outcome for her could have been better OR worse - you simply do not know.

I can both feel sorrow for the coyote, but understand he was clearly a threat.  Coyotes here in barely suburban parts of the Twin Cities have lured and trapped and attacked many dogs, killing some.  Even a very sizeable Golden Retriever was attacked last year. 

I hope Rory improves quickly and both dogs heal physically and emotionally and that you can move past the trauma, too.  It had to be terrifying.

DPU

spiritdogs

And, I liked Carla's post, too.....

 

I don't because it seems to have a 'Que, Sera Sera" tone to it

You're reading something into it that isn't there, then. 

DPU

no mention of precautions or safety initatives

From 2 of the links I posted:

To lessen the risk of conflict with coyotes, WDFW wildlife managers offer these suggestions:

• Keep pet food and water inside.
• Keep pets inside or confined securely in a kennel or covered exercise yard.
• Do not feed wildlife on the ground; keep wild bird seed in feeders designed for birds, elevated or hanging above ground, and clean up spilled seed from the ground; coyotes can either be drawn directly to the seed, or to the rodents drawn to the seed.
• Keep fruit trees fenced or pick up fruit that falls to the ground.
• Do not feed feral cats; coyotes prey on the cats and feed on cat food left out for them.
• Minimize groundcover vegetation near children's play areas to avoid attracting rodents and small mammals that will in turn attract coyotes; keep clusters of shrubs, trees and other cover and food plants away from buildings and children's play areas.
• Use noise-making devices when coyotes are seen. Check with local authorities regarding noise and weapons ordinances.
• Be assertive in attitude and behavior towards coyotes that are not showing normal fear of humans

Coyote safety tips

The California Department of Fish and Game’s “Keep Me Wild” campaign suggests the following “coyote country” precautions:

•Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes. The result may be deadly conflicts with pets or livestock, or serious injuries to small children.
•Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
•Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
•Trim ground-level shrubbery to reduce hiding places.
•Be aware that coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
•If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
•If a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact the nearest Department of Fish and Game or law-enforcement office.

I don't know what more you want from me.  

DPU

plus it is judgemental at a very personal level

I have no idea what you mean by this. I have judgments about this. We all do. That's what we've been writing about here. Some have judgments that the OP didn't do enough or shouldn't have let her dogs out or got some kind of thrill out of her dogs killing an animal or had inappropriate emotions about the situation. I'm just standing in her defense. Sometimes, that's what I do.

Auroralove, I am glad you are okay and that your dogs are, too.  I would have been terrified for my own safety as well as theirs.

On a human level, I am always saddened when an animal loses its life, but sometimes, in their world, it is kill or be killed - no bargaining, peace talks, or sanctions.  Pretty cut and dried - not how I'd want to live, but then again, who says we humans really are the smarter species?

It's one thing to call your dog off a boring biscuit, it's another to call him off a predator that has lunged for his throat or is approaching a member of his social group.

Amen!

I'm surprised that this thread has turned into such a discussion on what she did wrong.  This is a QUICK moment that this kind of stuff happens in and a lot of how YOU react is instinct, so you can imagine so it must be for the dog who's entire life is based on instinct and only after years of training can you sometimes override those instincts.

AuroraLove, I cannot imagine how horrifying this must have been for you. I'm so happy that Rory and Primo are OK.  I know without a doubt had it been my yard there would have been tragedy in my household.  I've learned a valuable lesson though, from this, and thank you for that. I'll be checking the yard before letting the dogs out.  Something I don't really do.

Give those babies kisses for me, sending lots of GET WELL SOON vibes to them. Try not to second guess things, as hard as it is... I think you did absolutely the best you could and clearly you did well, you have both your babies.  :)
 

oh good gravy, you guys!! the reason i have two bulldogs is BECAUSE of coyotes... and pigs, and bears, and the chance of feral dogs. No Kaydee isnt 100% but she still does a bang up job of being a bulldog.

 i've been in similar situations where my dog felt a need to protect me. you CANT argue with that!!! unless you live your life with an independent/dominant/protective breed then you will never have a clue. and no i dont mean a rescue on the odd occasion. i mean raise this dog yourself so that IT believes you are the leader and is willing to die for you. THAT is what you get with breeds like this... it isnt exclusive to bulldogs.

about the yote.... i think he panicked..... he probably smelled dog.. he's probably EATEN dog before and since you said he was thin he was probably hungry.... your dogs are about the right size for a coyote kill. i think he bit off more than he could chew... if you'll pardon the pun. i think when those dogs stepped out the door that coyote had an "Oh Sh*t" moment and didnt know what to do but get out of the way. if you were unfortunate enough to have only one dog it could have been much worse. i'll wager that fight lasted only a minute or two.... but if this had been one on one it would have probably been to the death... and the death could very well have been your dog.

i've lived in all settings and i've heard tales of coyotes and the damage they cause. i talk to coyote hunters on a regular basis and they have some interesting stories for you.

if you believe a coyote is harmless then you need to take a walk in the real world. if you think ANY animal is harmless you need to get a clue. except for baby bunnies.... they're pretty harmless... unless you're made of lettuce.

i feel a bit of sympathy for the yote because he suffered a slow death. if it had been me i would probably have gone after him to end it quicker..... but thats me. i'm a hunter and i cant stand suffering on any level. it MUST be a clean and fast kill.

its up to you to be proud or neutral. dont let others dictate your emotions. i say you did a damn good job because NO ONE CAN BE PREPARED FOR THIS SITUATION unless you're totally freakin paranoid to walk out of your house and i think that is a serious medical condition that requires a prescription and some therapy...

please dont become one of those people.....  

 ETA

Kelliope... you didnt like the graphic content but i want to ask you what you expected to find? 

"Well my dogs just mauled a coyote but everyones ok! have a nice day guys!"

i would have been more sickened if she'd stood around and cheered them on or ran back inside and slammed the door shut.... no. she did the right thing.  

Sera_J

I'm surprised that this thread has turned into such a discussion on what she did wrong.

I agree, although I don't believe the OP did anything wrong. Warning the coyote the first time by chasing it off and it then again came back and hid this time. I don't think anything was done wrong, and I'm just glad HER dogs and HER are safe. AL, I hope your babies are still doing well!! Maggie and Teddi send their love. 

Maybe I should clarify.  I don't think she did anything wrong either, but clearly other people think she did.  My point was that this is a split second in time and if someone thinks they'd do this, that or the other would most likely be stunned to find out what they'd really do when actually confronted with the situation.  It's great to armchair quarterback and completely another to be in the situation. 

Truly, I don't think there was one mistake that you made, AL.   

Sera_J

Maybe I should clarify.  I don't think she did anything wrong either, but clearly other people think she did.  My point was that this is a split second in time and if someone thinks they'd do this, that or the other would most likely be stunned to find out what they'd really do when actually confronted with the situation.  It's great to armchair quarterback and completely another to be in the situation. 

Truly, I don't think there was one mistake that you made, AL.   

i agree..... cops and soldiers train for combat and situations for quite a long time but that training goes out the window for many people when they find themselves in the heat of battle.... 

cat0

Agreed.  Coyotes do not take on dogs.  They are scavengers and small animal predators.  They generally move in the other direction.

BUT I keep my distance from the wildlife.

Wrong

  Numerous dogs have been killed by coyotes in my neighborhood. One neighbor found what appeared to be the paw of a rottweiler in his backyard, if it was not a rott then it was a large black and tan dog paw. A good friend lost his 2 year old neo mastiff to coyotes, she was able to kill 2 of them before they ripped her to pieces. Another neighbor recently lost a 10month old rott to coyotes. They ripped my neighbors cat apart within 15 feet of my dogs who went nuts but were unable to get to the coyotes because of our fence. Hektor hates coyotes with a passion.

 I run into coyotes all the time out walking and have had a few situations (when Hektor was small) that worried me. I have throw rocks at them and brandished sticks only to have them follow us from a distance (they do not do this anymore as Hektor is able to kill one very easy now). They have attempted to lure Gunnar off and my best guess is that they would have attacked him if successful. They do not do that anymore because they fear Hektor.

 They are not always afraid of people or dogs like they should be, I have had them sit outside my fence at night and stare at my dogs. They no longer do this since Hektor has had personal confrontations with them near the house twice now. If one comes into my yard my dogs will kill it and I will be cheering them on. I do not look to kill coyotes and try to live in harmony with them when in their territory but my yard is mine and I do not want them thinking it is anywhere that they need to be. The last one I saw near the house actually sat and watched me throw rocks and he sat just out of range. He did not seem in the least bit afraid of me or my rocks. Had it not been getting dark I would have released the dogs on him

 The OP may have made one mistake with these coyotes and that is in distracting her dogs. If I cannot stop the initial attack then I will not call my dogs while they are fighting with one, to do so can distract and put the dogs in a situation where they may receive an injury that would have been avoided if I had not distracted them.

 The OP did nothing wrong and is not gloating over the demise of the coyote, her dogs did a great job in defending their territory. Next time a coyote comes into your yard let the dogs do their thing and reward them for it afterwards.

 And no I do not hate coyotes but it is imperative that they know where they can and cannot go and my yard is off limits to them, they come in at their own peril and trust me, I will not be calling off my dogs.

after reading all posts I would like to add that there was danger to the OP in this situation, having a coyote trapped in a fenced yard causes danger, the animal cannot flee and feels inself threatened then it very well could attack the human. This should be obvious to anyone who even knows dogs and not coyotes. If you have a frightened dog that is cornered and feels threatened and cannot escape what happens? Well it is even more so for a wild animal since they know humans are bad, if they are cornered they can and will attack.

OP please give your dogs a nice treat for me, tell them it is from Donna. And tell them Hektor is very jealous as he often dreams of having one of the teasing coyotes jump his fence.

dgriego

it is imperative that they know where they can and cannot go and my yard is off limits to them, they come in at their own peril and trust me, I will not be calling off my dogs.

thats what i tell people.... if it comes into my yard then it has the potential to become dog poop....  

Sera- Your right, I was very caught off guard, the dogs and I all paused like "what do we do"?....heck I was hardly awake and now wonder if me going in the yard alone to check was the best thing,I'm gonna start patrolling my yard with pepper spray but who woulda thought this would happen in the a.m.? My neighbor said it was the strangest sight to see me in my pink flannel pj's and leopard print slippers running my bloody pit bulls ot the car, she said she was very confused. I cant imagine how odd the 3 of us looked.

Dumdog- you share the same views as my father does about dogs (in a good way). He has used pitties and catties to hunt boar since forever and as a child I used to meet him outside in the early a.m. and help wash the hog dogs but I never saw them in action and don't think I could stomach watching a hunt......ooh my tummy would not stand for it.

DGriego-NM? Oh man you must have coyotes all over the place! My husband, Dad and cousins were all very upset I didnt wake DH to go check but thats my stuborness....and stupidity but I still dotn know why the coyote didnt show his face then. He was a beauty though.

I would be proud that my dogs would protect me & our property, too. We have MANY coyotes here and I live on the beach! I don't like them, personally. I don't want them near me, my dogs, or my property. You never know what they'll do here because they're pretty bold. This coyote had warnings, like getting chased away and the scent of your dogs...there was no trash/food in your yard, there was NO reason for it to be there, nevermind still there in the morning. The ACO where we live more than likely would've put it down if it was caught anyway, to test for rabies.

dgriego

If you have a frightened dog that is cornered and feels threatened and cannot escape what happens? Well it is even more so for a wild animal since they know humans are bad, if they are cornered they can and will attack.

Then you give them an escape rather than risk injury to yourself or your own dogs. 

DPU

Then you give them an escape rather than risk injury to yourself or your own dogs. 

If it is a coyote and he is in my yard he will have the oppurtunity to escape the same way he came in provided he is faster than the dogs.