Wauwatosa neighborhood on high alert after Yorkie dies in coyote attack

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) – Five years after Wauwatosa dealt with killer coyotes, the problem reappeared. This weekend, a coyote attacked a 15-year-old Yorkie, ending the puppy’s life.

The coyote attack happened in the Fisher Woods neighborhood, right next to Vliet – and this one is personal. The dog that was killed, named Brady, belonged to CBS 58 chief meteorologist Drew Burgoyne.

“They were siblings. They were never separated,” said Adrienne Burgoyne, Drew’s wife.

Drew’s wife Adrienne and their second 15-year-old Yorkie, named Allie, witnessed the attack that occurred on Saturday, December 11.

“I just panicked. I panicked,” Adrienne said.

This happened around 8 a.m., minutes after a neighbor across the block took a photo of a coyote in the neighborhood.

“Brady was right here next to these trees and I was pretty much standing here. Next thing I knew he had Brady in his mouth and was shaking violently and I didn’t put him off when I screamed. He did. just ran to the other side of that white picket fence and I kind of dropped him over there, ”Adrienne said.

Now Adrienne and Drew are hopeful that city leaders feel pressured to do something.

“We want some action this week. We don’t want our friends’ pets to die,” Adrienne said.

“People are really nervous right now because you have coyotes going through,” Drew said.

Wauwatosa police tell us it’s the first pet to die from a coyote this year.

“The last time, five years ago, this all happened, it took several animal deaths for anything to get done, and I don’t think that’s acceptable,” Adrienne said.

Coyotes are considered pests. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says it is impossible to eradicate them from urban areas and resettlement is difficult, but the Burgoynes are hopeful it will be possible.

“Relocation is also not a really viable option, just because if you remove one coyote from a particular area another will only fill that vacant position there,” said Marty Johnson, biologist at the Wisconsin DNR wildlife.

Wisconsin DNR wildlife biologist Marty Johnson recommends hazing coyotes, letting them know they’re not welcome by throwing objects at them and yelling loudly if you see one.

“Carry a box full of coins where you can shake and shake it or carry stones in your pocket to throw it away. I would say if you are in your yard you might want to carry a stick with you,” Johnson said.

Plus, make your yard a place coyotes won’t like; don’t leave food outside, clear brush under trees and set up lights.

“I will never erase that image from my mind. He shook it violently and I immediately knew he was not going to survive. We brought him in and we all could hold him and tell him goodbye, then we caught him falling asleep, said Adrienne.

The DNR recommends the iNaturalist app where people post recent coyote sightings.