Maltese dog killed by coyote in Shrewsbury home backyard

By Alexandra Phillips

A Shrewsbury family lost a five-pound Maltese dog to a coyote on Tuesday, June 12th, in their own backyard. The Shrewsbury resident, Tracy Walnista, was 5 ft away from the dog, standing outside in the yard with the light on, around 10:30 p.m. “when the coyote grabbed her and ended her life,” explained her daughter in a Facebook community forum.

The 11-year-old dog was being walked off leash in the yard on Surrey Lane when it was snatched by the wild animal, reports the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. The family lives between conservation property and the cemetery.

There has been an increase in the concerns of many Shrewsbury residents relating to the town’s growing coyote population. Generally, coyotes are not vicious toward humans, but they are known to prey on smaller animals such as rabbits, cats, or dogs. This has presented a problem for many pet owners and even residents with smaller children.

Related:

Shrewsbury Police warns residents about “increase in coyote sightings”

Many residents have been warned about a pack of coyotes living in the woods that neighbor the Saint John’s football field in the town. The numerous amount of sightings has certainly raised a cause for alarm for those who live near wooded areas. Animals such as coyotes often live deep in the woods but can adapt to living in areas that have been suburbanized. Barriers such as fences may not be able to protect one’s property, as coyotes can often jump over or dig under them.

Some residents have raised questions as to whether or not the town of Shrewsbury should be responsible for controlling the coyote population. Shrewsbury’s Animal Control deals chiefly with rabid animals, stray dogs, feral cats and laws concerning animal leash and animal waste codes. The town also assists in wildlife animal removal from residents’ homes and workplaces. They can also help with any damage the animal has caused to one’s home, and they can provide methods to prevent further wildlife invasion.

In terms of coyote sightings, however, the amount of control Shrewsbury has is very limited. Although the methods Shrewsbury’s Animal Control has to remove wildlife from homes and business are extensive, these methods cannot necessarily extend to include outside wildlife threats. Since coyotes primarily live in the woods and generally do not take shelter in residents’ homes, Animal Control does not necessarily have the power to detain them.

This may present an uncertain future for those who live by the woods and own small animals in Shrewsbury. It is against the law in the state of Massachusetts to imprison coyotes and release them into different areas. Furthermore, the law states that coyotes cannot be removed simply because there have been multiple sightings.

In order to protect animals and small children from future coyote attacks, residents must remain alert and exercise caution in the evenings. They can also create barriers such as fences, but they must ensure the barrier is built properly, so coyotes cannot find a way under or over them. If residents have any questions regarding Animal Control procedures, they are encouraged to visit Shrewsbury’s town webpage, linked down below: https://shrewsburyma.gov/466/Animal-Control