Arlington Police Caution Residents After Coyote Kills Resident's Dog

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington Police and animal control officer Kathryn Kozikowski are warning residents of the dangers of coyotes after a West Highland terrier belonging to an Arlington resident was attacked and killed by a coyote Friday morning.

Police say that at around 7 a.m., police received a report that a coyote had attacked and killed a resident's dog while it was in the backyard. The property abuts Menotomy Rocks Park, where coyotes have been known to reside.

According to Kozikowski, last year's mild weather has caused an influx in some wildlife, creating a greater supply of food for the coyotes. The announcement states that while coyotes hunt during low light hours, it is not unnatural to see them during the day.

"There will always be coyotes in Arlington," Kozikowski said in the announcement. "The best ways that we can prevent further interactions with coyotes is to make our homes less of an attraction for them."

Police also offered tips from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to residents following the attack :

• Do not approach, feed, pet or try to interact with wildlife, including coyotes, foxes or other wild animals.
• It is always a good idea to leash pets at all times if outdoors. Small cats and dogs are seen as prey, and larger dogs are seen as competition.
• Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten coyotes with loud noises, bright lights or water sprayed from a hose.
• Cut back brushy edges, as these areas provide cover for coyotes and their prey.
• Secure your garbage. Coyotes raid open trash materials and compost piles. Secure your garbage in tough plastic containers with tight-fitting lids and keep them in secure buildings when possible. Take out trash when the morning pickup is scheduled, not the previous night. Keep compost in secure, vented containers, and keep barbecue grills clean to reduce attractive odors.
• Keep bird feeder areas clean. Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground, as the seed attracts many small mammals coyotes prey upon. Remove feeders if coyotes are regularly seen around your yard.

Image by ks42day via Morguefile