Backyard Pet Predators

Last week, my neighbor's 42 pound male Wheaten Terrier, a pretty sturdy character named Murphy, was attacked by a coyote in his own backyard.  Murphy is kept close to home with an invisible electric fence.  It keeps Murphy in—but it cannot keep intruders out.

Murphy's owner put on the floodlights, as she does every night before letting Murphy out.  She stood on the deck above her backyard. Within minutes, she heard the snarls and screams of her own dog and an unseen attacker.  She broke out into screams of her own and headed in the direction of the outbreak, but could not see what or who was there.

After an agonizing silence,  Murphy emerged from the dark woods, badly beaten up and limping with his back leg.  He did not let her touch him as he hobbled straight to his crate. He refused to get out all night.  

The next morning she saw a coyote sitting and staring at her house. While the beautiful landscapes are what drew many of us to live in Bedford and Katonah, it's those very wooded areas that bring potential dangers to household pets.

Coyotes are serious predators.  I once treated a large Golden Retriever  who was attacked amongst the safety of a small pack of domestic dogs.  Five months ago, a woman walking alone in the woods in Greenburgh, NY, was bitten in the arm and leg by a coyote.  Small dogs sometimes just disappear—presumably taken by coyotes.

Murphy's veterinarian, Dr. Martin Randell at Somers Animal Hospital, assessed Murphy the next morning. The dog required anesthesia for cleaning and flushing several wounds. He needed surgical drains—tubes placed in the wounds, to let fluids out.   He also received antibiotics, pain medications, and a rabies booster.  

Murphy was lucky to be alive.

The coyote's Latin name, Canis latrans, means barking dog.  This species is known for its cunning behavior and swift movements.  They are good swimmers, diggers, and hunters.  They eat fruit, seeds, fish frogs, insects, rodents, and small and large mammals and carrion. They mate in late winter and early spring, and give birth in the late spring and early summer.  That is when they are reportedly are most aggressive, as they are extremely protective of their pups.  

Here are some suggestions to keep your pet safe: 

• If you have an electric fence, be sure to accompany your dog outside at dawn, dusk and nighttime.  Use a leash--or at the very least make some noise.  Turn on outdoor lighting, and open and close garage doors to scare off coyotes.
• If you have a physical fence, it should extend at least 6 inches under the ground. Coyotes prefer to dig under things than climb over them.
• Don't let your dog run free in the woods.
• Be meticulous about garbage cans and any outdoor pet food.
• Don't feed wild animals. Don't feed your own pets outside.
• Reconsider the bird feeder.  Apparently coyotes not only like birdseed, but the animals the seed will attract.  
• If you come across a coyote (with or without your pet), aggressively yell and scream, wave your arms around, jump up and down.  
• Don't try to befriend a coyote or encourage them by leaving out food.  If one is injured and you would like to help it, find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
• Even if your pet has been vaccinated, a rabies booster is warranted for a bite wound. If you suspect your pet has been bitten, the county department of health has very specific guidelines on this topic and should be consulted if any predator bites your pet. 

If you see one and take a good picture (good luck, they are quick) feel free to email it to me. As for Murphy, his wounds are healing well.  But he won't leave his owner's side—which is probably for the best.     

Dr. Cutler has practicing veterinary medicine for 13 years, six of them at Somers Animal Hospital and is about to launch a housecall practice, At Home Vet Care. She resides in Katonah with her husband, three children, one schnauzer and three cats.