A coyote attack in Valleycliffe has at least one resident keeping her dog on a short leash.New Squamish resident Carly Paterson was walking her Jack Russell terrier along neighbourhood trails on Friday (Jan. 18) when a coyote ambushed the dog from the brush.
The two canines fought briefly before Paterson started yelling and shooed the coyote away but not for long.It quickly became obvious to her that the coyote was set on taking the unleashed terrier, Jake, as prey despite the fact that Paterson was accompanied by her mother and a double stroller carrying her two children.
It continued to stalk the group until the dog was placed in the stroller and the group neared the street. "He was after the dog, he obviously wasn't going to try to harm us, but it was the persistence."Jake was frightened but unharmed in the attack.
Still, it made Paterson wonder what would make the coyote keen on preying on a dog surrounded by a group of people. According to conservation officer Dave Jevons, ground feeders like bobcats, cougars, bears and coyotes search for food closer to urban developments in the winter months.
"This time of year when you have a heavy snow pack, food is otherwise harder to come by than in urban areas," he said. "Mice or rats or domestic animals like cats and dogs will become more susceptible to coyotes or bobcats and cougars as well. It's just the nature of where we live."
Hungry coyotes don't see people as much of an obstacle. As urban developments spread into wildlife habitat, animals become accustomed to their neighbours. "They become tolerant of people the same way bears become tolerant around humans - they become habituated. They're not seeing the person as a threat to them and their focus is on what they see as prey, as a food source."
Last year in another part of the district, a woman watched her dog get taken away by three coyotes about 40 feet away. Her dog was lost despite attempts to discourage the pack by yelling and shouting, said Jevons. "That was it. Even though she was shouting at them, they're not going to stop. They're sort of in that prey-drive mode."
Nevertheless, reports of coyote attacks are uncommon in Squamish, said Jevons. He does recommend owners keep their pets indoors overnight, and dogs should be kept on a leash and close-by during walks. Meanwhile, Paterson and Jake are enjoying the trails with keener eyes.
"People should just be aware of wildlife, especially if you're new to the area, because I know there are a lot of people who are pretty new to Squamish. It's a growing community."
