Family dog ​​attacked by coyote in Naperville backyard – NBC Chicago

A small dog was recently attacked by a coyote in a Naperville family’s backyard, prompting the pet’s owners to issue a warning to neighbors on social media.

In a post on neighborhood social networking website NextDoor, Alexia and Vince Gallucci explained that their 4-year-old dog Riley, a Beagle and Dachshund mix, was bitten by a coyote on Friday night.

The couple say their dog was “lucky to believe he was alive” and was treated by a vet after the attack. The incident was reported to local animal control.

Since coyotes are common in Illinois, it’s not uncommon to spot one in a neighborhood.

“Seeing a coyote outside during the day is no cause for concern, especially in the spring and summer when it is looking for food for its young,” Lynsey White, Director of Human Wildlife Conflict Resolution at the Humane Society of the United States. said in an article.

However, the Humane Society says coyotes may mistake small, unattended pets for prey or attack large dogs they view as threats to territory.

To help keep your pets safe, be sure to keep an eye on them, experts say.

As for cats, it’s best to keep them indoors, the Humane Society said. According to the Humane Society, animal experts encourage pet owners never to leave small dogs outside unattended or to leave a dog off-leash in a yard.

Also, be sure to feed pets indoors and store trash in wildlife-proof containers.