This small town has seen a succession of coyote attacks on pets, a problem spreading across the country.
What happened?
Police in Wrentham, Massachusetts, are urging homeowners to keep an eye on their pets after two dogs were killed by coyotes in just one week. NBC 10 WJAR.
Coyotes have been known to attack and kill unsupervised pets, including small dogs and cats. They may also target young children, although these attacks are less common.
“Please take precautions when letting your dogs outside. Have them on a leash or at least be outside with them,” Wrentham police warned residents, according to WJAR.
Unfortunately, wildlife encounters, including coyote attacks, are becoming more common.
Why is the increase in wildlife encounters alarming?
As urbanization, deforestation, and other human activities diminish natural habitats, wildlife encounters continue to rise.
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With fewer resources such as shelter, food, and water, animals must venture farther to survive, often entering neighborhoods and cities as a result.
Human-wildlife interactions put humans and animals at risk. Humans can be injured or killed as a result of attacks by elk, hungry bears, and other wildlife. Even a seemingly harmless encounter, such as feeding or petting a wild animal, can cause an animal to lose its fear of people. Often times, this ends with the animal being euthanized.
What can I do to prevent wildlife encounters?
To prevent coyote encounters and attacks in your area, remove any outdoor attractants such as pet food or trash. In areas with established coyote populations, always supervise your pet, especially small dogs and cats.
Wildlife encounters can also be reduced by restoring and protecting natural habitats and incorporating animal-friendly infrastructure, including wildlife crossings, into cities.
Whether you’re hiking in a national park or enjoying your own backyard, remember: wild animals are wild and need to stay wild. Never approach, feed or touch any wild animal, and keep a safe distance when viewing it.
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