Police say that a Connecticut family saved their dog from death when they scared a coyote that had just attacked the Beagle/Jack Terrier mix.

NBCConnecticut.com reported that the dog had just been let out of the house on Booth Avenue in Watertown at around 1:00am this morning when the coyote lunged. The family pet, who weighs 21 pounds, was no match for the wild animal who they said was the size of a German Shepherd.

When the family began yelling, the coyote fled. They brought the dog to an animal hospital where he was treated for his wounds. Thankfully, the dog is up to date on its rabies shots. However, he still needs to be confined at home since there is no way of knowing if the coyote that bit him was rabid.

Coyotes are out looking for food from dawn to dusk but they will not miss an opportunity for food. PLEASE keep your animals up to date on their shots. doors and  but since they seek Animal control is urging pet owners to keep their pets’ shots up to date and to avoid leaving them unattended when out, especially between dawn and dusk when coyotes are out hunting. Wildlifehotline.org tells us:

It is actually not unusual to see a coyote or fox out during the day.  Coyotes and foxes will venture out during daylight hours in search of food.  Both animals are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will hunt for food as the opportunity presents itself – regardless of day or night.  Additionally, both coyotes and foxes eat squirrels, and squirrels are only active during the day!  So, if you see a fox or coyote outside during the day, he is most likely in pursuit of a squirrel, small rodent, or other daytime food source. -Wildlifehotline.org

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