Mokena Dog Lucky To Be Alive After Attacked By Pair Of Coyotes, Owner Says

UNINCORPORATED MOKENA, IL — A Mokena dog is lucky to be alive, after being attacked by two coyotes in its family's yard, her owner said.

Last month, 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier Sydney had just been let outside for the last time for the night, when her owner Jessica Dabski noticed something different in her bark.

"Nothing seemed unusual until I suddenly heard a change in her bark that sounded distressed, and I immediately knew something wasn’t right," Dabski told Patch. "I ran outside calling for her and saw two coyotes near Sydney."

Dabski ran to her beloved pet's defense, but still, the coyotes weren't spooked by a human in such close proximity.

"I ran outside calling for Sydney after hearing her bark change, but the coyotes did not immediately retreat," Dabski said. "It was surprising how bold they appeared in that moment, and our focus was on getting Sydney safely back inside."

Dabski's fiancé heard the commotion and came outside—the coyotes bolted moments later. The couple carried Sydney to safety.

"We rushed back inside with her to make sure she was safe," Dabski said. "The entire encounter happened very quickly."

Sydney sustained deep puncture wounds around her neck that required emergency surgery, Dabski said.

"When we arrived at the veterinary ER, the veterinarian told us that one of her wounds alone could have been fatal—which was incredibly difficult to hear," Dabski told Patch.

After her wounds were cleaned and closed, her recovery was more complicated than her owners had expected. She needed continued veterinary care, additional treatment, and close monitoring to help her heal.

Three weeks later, she has made a full recovery.

"We are incredibly grateful to still have her with us," Dabski said, describing her canine companion as "incredibly loyal and deeply bonded" to her.

"She’s always by my side and rarely wanders far," Dabski said. "She has the protective instincts you’d expect from a Jack Russell and is constantly keeping watch over our home (we joke that she runs her own perimeter security). At the same time, she is unbelievably friendly and has never met a person she didn’t love—she usually greets strangers with excitement instead of suspicion.

"... Sydney isn’t just a pet; she is truly woven into the fabric of our family and part of our everyday life."

The couple, who started a GoFundMe to cover medical costs of Sydney's recovery, are new to their home in unincorporated Mokena, bordering New Lenox and Homer Glen.

"We had only recently moved into our home and were aware that coyotes were in the area—we had even seen one on our cameras before—but we never imagined an encounter like this," Dabski said. "What surprised us most was how bold they seemed and how quickly everything happened."

Dabski wants to caution others to be aware of coyotes near their pets. January through March is coyote mating season. During this time, coyotes are more active and may be seen more frequently, even during daylight hours. Coyotes are typically shy and avoid humans, but it’s important to take precautions to keep your pets and community safe, Chicago Animal Care and Control shared last week.

"... remain vigilant and avoid letting pets outside unattended, even in areas that feel quiet or familiar," Dabski said. "Since the attack, we’ve also observed coyotes during the daytime, which reinforced how important it is to keep pets within sight at all times. Taking a few extra precautions can make a meaningful difference in keeping your pets safe."

CACC's tips to minimize encounters include:

• Keep pets on a leash: Always supervise pets and use a short leash, especially near parks or wooded spaces.
• Secure food sources: Don’t leave pet food, garbage, or birdseed outside, as these attract coyotes.
• Check your yard: Before letting pets outside, make sure your yard is secure and clear of coyotes.
• Avoid feeding coyotes: Feeding wildlife encourages bold behavior and increases encounters.
• Stay alert: If you see a coyote, make yourself big, loud, and back away slowly—never run.