Coyote suspected of killing dog in fenced yard

SOUTHFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) – David Fishman believed his little 8-year-old dog was safe in their fenced yard in Franklin, a village in Southfield Township. But on December 15, minutes after his wife let the Yorkshire Pomeranian mingle out at the pot, Fishman couldn’t find him.

They quickly put on their coats to go outside and look for Nixon, but quickly realized that the gates to the fence were still locked.

Fishman said he contacted their local police department and started looking for Nixon. And near the line of trees, not far from the fenced yard, they found Nixon’s remains.

“It was terrible,” he told 7 Action News. “They tore it up.”

Fishman is now on a mission to help warn the others.

“You have to be extra vigilant right now. When letting your dog out, you need him on or near a leash, preferably on a leash,” Fishman said.

In Wyandotte, a woman recently captured photos and video of a coyote walking around during the day.

The woman is also warning others with small pets to be extra careful as the coyote appears to be very active in the area.

Rachel Leightner, wildlife awareness coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources, says coyotes are in every county in Michigan and people can expect to see more in January, the start of their mating season. , approaches and coyotes are looking for a mate and a den site.

“They might move around a bit more at times which are usually unusual. So in the middle of the day or just not at night,” Leightner said.

Fishman said he contacted the DNR and was told they could not trap and move the coyotes due to the potential disease they may be carrying and which could be spread.

Leightner confirmed that this is the main reason they don’t move coyotes.

If a coyote threatens someone on their property, damages their property, or is about to cause damage, the coyote may be “taken” (killed) by that owner, or by anyone they designate, without a license. hunting, according to Leightner, adding that local gun restrictions still apply.

With a hunting license, Leightner said coyotes can be hunted and trapped on public or private property with the owner’s permission. Everything must be done in accordance with local firearms laws.

Leightner said MNR may also allow nuisance wildlife professionals to exit, trap and remove the animal from your property. MRN provides more information and online resources concerning wildlife nuisances.

You can also visit the MNR website for find a wildlife biologist in your area if there has been an attack on a pet, then they can investigate and follow up on the incidents.

Leightner said to help keep coyotes away from homes, search for food sources around your home, and eliminate them.

Simply feeding Michigan’s beautiful birds can also indirectly attract coyotes. Small animals, such as squirrels, forage for food that birds place under feeders. And for coyotes, these little animals are a source of food. When coyotes return to this location for food, a small pet is also considered prey.

If you feel threatened by a coyote, wildlife experts recommend making lots of noise and raising your hands in the air to appear bigger in order to scare the coyote away.