Aggressive coyotes terrorize northeast side neighborhood

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - A northeast side neighborhood is on high alert after several coyote attacks on their beloved pets.

Residents living off Sunrise and Craycroft said the coyotes seem to be especially aggressive this year.

"We've really noticed an increase in the number of coyotes as well as their luring tactics, they seem very aggressive and relentless," said Lisa Abrams, who has witnessed a pack of coyotes stalking her dogs through her fence in the backyard.

She said the animals just would not go away.

"They appear to use cries like a baby in distress or hurt animal to try to lure our dogs out," said Lisa Abrams.

A few houses down, Chantal Sweger was grateful her dog survived three coyote attacks in the last month. The last one could have been fatal, luckily Sweger was home and ran out and scared the hungry coyotes away.

"I heard her yelp then I heard, you know the noise coyotes make when they like feasting on a rabbit, so I ran around the side and there were two on her, and one above. As I was screaming there was another one coming out of the wash," said Sweger.

Coco came out of the attack with several puncture wounds from the attack. Residents said the coyotes did not appear to be afraid of larger dogs as well. They appeared to be traveling in larger packs of three to four animals.

Abrams said she had installed tall iron bars and chicken wire around her backyard to keep the predators out. She had also trained her dogs to not make any noise and hide when they heard coyote cries. She would not allow her animals outside unattended.

"We know they're outside of the wall we can see them," said Abrams.

Sweger said she was looking into hiring a Coyote removal service, they could safely trap coyotes and relocate them to a different location. Both options were costly.

Game and Fish officials advised residents not to leave dog food or water out in the yard. The coyotes could be attracted to the meal.

Chantel Sweger said she followed the advice and thought she was doing all the right things, only to be told, "Your dog is the meal. If she is in your yard she is not safe."

To protect yourself and your pets from aggressive coyotes, the Arizona Game and Fsh website offers some suggestions.

These included carrying an air-horn. The noise could scare them away.
You could also put cans or rocks in a can or container and shake it.
Opening an umbrella in the direction of a coyote can startle them.
What you're not advised to do is turn your back and run, the coyote could chase you.

To report an attack please call Arizona Game and Fish at 1-800-352-0700.