Dog Attacked By Coyotes
Forsyth County News
July 4, 2004
Two coyotes attacked a small dog in a north Forsyth backyard Tuesday,
reminding residents that Forsyth is still a rural county in some parts.
Though the dog survived, the 5 year old miniature schnauzer was severely
injured, according to veterinarian Mike McLaughlin at Animal Medical Center
on Buford Highway.
Lisa Morgan let her dog Tiara into her Shadewater Drive backyard
about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. The residence is located in a neighborhood
near Lake Lanier and backs up to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property.
After a few minutes Morgan reported hearing a piercing shriek. "She
opens the back door steps outside and there are two coyotes killing her
dog", said McLaughlin, whose clinic resuscitated the mauled, 17-pound dog.
Associate veterinarian Nikki Chiorazzi saved Tiara's life, McLaughlin said.
Tiara has extensive stitches and drains in her wounds but is "doing fine",
Morgan said. The coyotes that attacked Tiara were not fully grown,
according to Morgan. "If it would have been adults, she (Tiara) wouldn't
have made it." Morgan said. Morgan has heard coyotes howling in the
distance, she said, but has never seen them in her neighborhood.
"I would have never in a million years dreamed they would have attacked
in broad daylight", Morgan said.
Coyotes primarily hunt at night for small mammals and rodents,
according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Coyotes have a pointy snout and ears, a bushy tail and mottled black
or red fur. While they look similar to domestic dogs, their howl and
high pitched yip is distinguishable. Coyotes travel in packs but hunt
alone. They live in wooded areas bordered by open fields.
With development of their natural habitat, coyotes and other wild animals
venture into neighborhoods for dinner. "A lot of animals that have lived
here forever have been displaced", McLaughlin explained. For example,
a wild bear was hit by a car two years ago on Ga. 400 near Peachtree
Parkway exit. Around the same period of time, a hawk swooped in on a
pet Chihuahua and carried the dog away as its owner watched, McLaughlin
said. Coyotes are timid animals and usually scared of humans, the
DNR reports. However, their proximity to development has made them
less afraid of people. The DNR advises individuals to stay away from
coyotes. "Please be attentive. If you see wild animals around your
house, be alert," McLaughlin said.
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