Dog Killed by Coyotes at Mussel Rock Point

On Saturday, March 10 at 5p.m., a 15-pound dog was seized, stunned and dragged away by two full-size coyotes at Mussel Rock Park.

The owner of the poodle was unable to find his pet; he is certain his dog was killed by the attack. The attack occurred during daylight on the hilly path leading to the paragliders' airfield. This is the second time this March that a poodle has been attacked by coyotes.

The Peninsula Humane Society mentioned a similar incident in which a small poodle was attacked by coyotes, but was successfully retrieved. The area of the attack was near rabbit warrens, and it is thought that the dog may have looked like a rabbit in size and color.

The low rainfall this winter has brought the rather unusual sighting in February of a pack of 5 coyotes out together at 4p.m. around the same site, close to the swamp where they drink water below the copse of willow trees, in full view of hikers, paragliders and pet dogs.

Dog owners are urged to keep their dogs in view all the time while at Mussel Rock near to the gate, paths and swamp area.

--Helen Nicely