Possible Coyote Attacks Reported In Madison
2 Dogs Have Been Attacked
Updated: 3:01 pm CDT September 13, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Animal control officers in Dane County are investigating two possible coyote attacks in Madison -- both involving small dogs.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe two attacks happened in the same area in the Walnut Grove neighborhood on Madison's west side.Animal experts are now warning residents to keep an eye on their pets.The two attacks are a first for Madison. Never before has a coyote attacked a small pet in the area and while animal control officers said there's little action they can take right now -- there's a lot that the public can do, to keep their pets safe, WISC-TV reported.Nancy Ishikawa considers herself lucky, that she's able to play with her dog, Ziggy. Last week, he was attacked -- likely by a coyote."There's what looks like there could have been a mark that, the doctor believes, is the tooth going in sideways. We couldn't see him but he came in with his tail down, looking scared," said Ishikawa.Another small dog from the same neighborhood was attacked by a coyote on Wednesday.That time, the owners actually saw the coyote jump a fence, grab their dog, and take off. That dog, too, was lucky and survived.Madison and Dane County's Animal Service's Lead Patrick Comfert said coyote reports are becoming more and more common but these attacks are the first."For Madison, it's our first documented coyote versus dog experience," said Comfert.Comfert said while coyotes normally are most active at dusk, night-time, and at dawn -- the animals are growing more comfortable around out surroundings and can really come out at any time.That's why he said pet owners need to be more aware of where their pet is, even in their own back yard."That's our message that we want to get out, is that if you have a small pet -- they'll take cats too," said Comfert.Ishikawa said she's not certain it was a coyote that took a bite at Ziggy but she's not taking any chances."He's a dog that likes to be out at night -- we'd let him out for two hours. Now, it's five-minute intervals," said Ishikawa.Animal control said it's likely a pair of coyotes is in the west side neighborhood.And despite the recent attacks, they won't get involved in getting rid of the wild animals.That is, unless, the animals start threatening people. So they advise pet owners to just keep a close eye on their animals, even if they are just in the back yard.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe two attacks happened in the same area in the Walnut Grove neighborhood on Madison's west side.Animal experts are now warning residents to keep an eye on their pets.The two attacks are a first for Madison. Never before has a coyote attacked a small pet in the area and while animal control officers said there's little action they can take right now -- there's a lot that the public can do, to keep their pets safe, WISC-TV reported.Nancy Ishikawa considers herself lucky, that she's able to play with her dog, Ziggy. Last week, he was attacked -- likely by a coyote."There's what looks like there could have been a mark that, the doctor believes, is the tooth going in sideways. We couldn't see him but he came in with his tail down, looking scared," said Ishikawa.Another small dog from the same neighborhood was attacked by a coyote on Wednesday.That time, the owners actually saw the coyote jump a fence, grab their dog, and take off. That dog, too, was lucky and survived.Madison and Dane County's Animal Service's Lead Patrick Comfert said coyote reports are becoming more and more common but these attacks are the first."For Madison, it's our first documented coyote versus dog experience," said Comfert.Comfert said while coyotes normally are most active at dusk, night-time, and at dawn -- the animals are growing more comfortable around out surroundings and can really come out at any time.That's why he said pet owners need to be more aware of where their pet is, even in their own back yard."That's our message that we want to get out, is that if you have a small pet -- they'll take cats too," said Comfert.Ishikawa said she's not certain it was a coyote that took a bite at Ziggy but she's not taking any chances."He's a dog that likes to be out at night -- we'd let him out for two hours. Now, it's five-minute intervals," said Ishikawa.Animal control said it's likely a pair of coyotes is in the west side neighborhood.And despite the recent attacks, they won't get involved in getting rid of the wild animals.That is, unless, the animals start threatening people. So they advise pet owners to just keep a close eye on their animals, even if they are just in the back yard.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
