Animal Autospy Determines Coyotes Did Not Kill German Shepherd

An animal autopsy at the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife has determines that coyotes did not kill a German Shepherd dog found dead on the aqueduct near Potter Road last Thursday.

On Thursday night, Jan. 22, Framingham Police, using its reverse 9-1-1 system, issued a warning to residents about coyotes and the death of the dog.

A spokesperson for the state said the dog died from a blunt force trauma, which could include being struck by a vehicle.

After the dog died, wildlife, possibly coyotes, fed on the dog.

Coyotes are considered opportunistic omnivores, meaning a coyote’s diet depends on what is prevalent and easy to find, scavenge, or catch and kill.

A coyote diet includes white-tailed deer, rabbits, small mammals such as mice and voles, raccoons, groundhogs, birds, and any animal killed by other means, including those struck by a car and left near the road.

As winter becomes harder and small mammal populations decline, coyotes turn toward their largest prey - white-tailed deer.

Editor’s Note: The secondary photo in this report is a of a deer found dead on Lake Cochituate last week. Photo Credit: Audrey Hall.

Coyote sighting are normal for Massachusetts. There have been several reports all over Framingham of coyotes.

Framingham Patch readers discussed seeing coyotes in town on our Facebook page.

Eastern coyotes, common in Massachusetts, look almost like a German shepherd dog. Coyotes have long, thick fur. Their tails are full and bushy, usually carried pointing down. Ears are large, erect, and pointed.

The following tips from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife offer what to do when you see a coyote or how to prevent them from your neighborhood:

Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten coyotes with loud noises and bright lights. Don’t hesitate to pick up small objects, such as a tennis ball, and throw them at the coyote. If a water hose is close at hand, spray the coyote with water in the face. Let the coyote know it is unwelcome in your area.

Coyotes eat many different foods, including small animals, fruits, vegetables, garbage, and pet food. Remember everything a coyote does is related to a potential meal.

Keep your pets safe: Although free roaming pets are more likely to be killed by automobiles than by wild animals, coyotes do view cats and small dogs as potential food and larger dogs as competition. For the safety of your pets, keep them restrained at all times.

Feed pets indoors: Outdoor feeding attracts many wild animals to your door.

Secure garbage: Coyotes will raid open trash materials and compost piles. Secure your garbage in tough plastic containers with tight fitting lids and keep in secure buildings when possible. Take out trash the morning pick up is scheduled, not the previous night. Keep compost piles in containers designed to contain but vent the material.

Don’t feed or try to pet coyotes: Keep wild things wild. Feeding, whether direct or indirect, can cause coyotes to act tame and over time may lead to bold behavior. Coyotes that rely on natural food items remain wild and wary of humans.

Keep bird feeding areas clean: Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground as the seed attracts many small mammals that coyotes prey upon. Remove feeders if coyotes are regularly seen around your yard.

Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds: Coyotes use such areas for resting and raising young.

Cut back brushy edges in your yard: These areas provide cover for coyotes and their prey.

Protect livestock and produce: Coyotes will prey upon livestock. Techniques, such as fencing, will protect livestock from predation. Clear fallen fruit from around fruit trees.

Educate your neighbors: Pass this information along since your efforts will be futile if neighbors are providing food or shelter for coyotes.