Coyote Runs Off With Yorkie in Mouth in St. Charles; Dog Later Found Dead

A three-pound Yorkshire Terrier named Otto is dead after a coyote snatched it up from a St. Charles backyard and ran off.

Robert Sturkey, Otto’s owner, said they are now reeling over their 8-year-old pup’s death.

”We are so sad and it will take some time to move forward,” he said.

Sturkey said the coyote grabbed Otto from his backyard Saturday night. Sturkey was just about to take Otto and his two West Highland White Terriers out for a walk when the dogs took off running before he could get their leashes on.

“I heard some commotion down by the tree line and then ran out to the park behind our house,” Sturkey said.

There, he saw the coyote with Otto in the coyote’s mouth.

“I tried to run after him but he was too fast,” Sturkey said.

Sturkey called 911. Police officers and a number of neighbors helped Sturkey search for Otto Saturday night. The search continued again in the morning but there was no luck in finding the small pup.

At 5 p.m. Sunday, the police stopped by to tell Sturkey they had found Otto’s remains at a retention pond at Division and East Side Drive. Sturkey went to pick up Otto’s body.

The 8-year-old Yorkie held a special place in his family’s hearts.

“We purchased him when he was a puppy and he helped us through some tough times we were having,” Sturkey said.

In the wake of Otto’s death, Sturke would like to see something done about the coyote population in St. Charles.

“The coyotes have been roaming our neighborhood for months now. We have lived here 22 years and I have never experienced anything like this,” he said. “They are becoming very bold and they are not nearly as afraid of humans as they once were.”

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