RICHMOND, Va. -- A Richmond neighborhood is on high alert after two coyotes attacked and killed a small dog over the weekend.
Pierre, a toy Cockapoo was killed by two coyotes, and now his family wants others to be aware and take precautions. Pierre, age 15, was adopted by his family.
Pierre
On Friday night, Pierre was out in the front yard in the Westover and Forest Hill area; it wasn’t unusual to see him hanging out in the yard or on the sidewalk.
The owner heard something and then spotted two coyotes. Pierre was taken to the emergency vet, but did not survive.
"The description of the dog owner and the prints submitted and the behavior of the animal certainly spells coyote,” said Aaron Proctor, with the Virginia Game & Inland Fisheries.
In fact, a coyote was recently captured on a James River Park System camera, and Proctor said the public needs to understand that coyotes can adapt to living just about anywhere.
"Typically Coyotes are going to take smaller prey, small dogs, cats, rabbit and rodent size prey,” Proctor said.
That’s why it’s important for residents in the Forest Hill area to take extra precautions to protect small children and pets.
"We had heard for the last year or two that there were coyotes in the neighborhood,” said neighbor Kelly Baldini. "When you live in the city, coyotes, really, it's not the first thing that comes to mind you know.”
Wildlife officials ask the public to take precautions after Pierre was attacked by coyotes
"I'm keeping him in, that's what I do differently,” said resident Jodey Smith, who is heeding the warning.
"I have three children, I have a cat and you know I keep a very close eye when they are in the yard,” Baldini added.
Game and Inland Fisheries ask residents in this area of Richmond to please call the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 855-571-9003, if a coyote is spotted or another coyote attack happens.
