The dingo ate my babies

[Marquette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345 But if it were a regular occurrence/threat, the beagles would be getting a new German Shepherd mix (possibly mixed with pit bull) to play with in a hurry.

I dunno... my dog (probably a boxer / american pit bull terrier + other stuff mix) has chased off rottweilers and staffordshire terriers (maybe what you're thinking of when you say pit bull? that's what most people mean by pit). However, I don't think he'd fare well against a coyote. He wanted to go after a small wolf (smaller than him) once and it was pretty obvious that the wolf wanted to and could have taken my dog. When it comes down to something that needs to be cagey and needs to kill and fight to survive versus something that sits around the house licking himself all day, my money would be on the former.

One thing that might just work on coyotes would be this spray called either Direct Stop or Spray Shield. I'm going to start carrying that in case we run into stray dogs on our walks. The benefit of it over a pepper spray is you can't accidentally incapacitate yourself when using it.

[brewer12345]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marquette I dunno... my dog (probably a boxer / american pit bull terrier + other stuff mix) has chased off rottweilers and staffordshire terriers (maybe what you're thinking of when you say pit bull? that's what most people mean by pit). However, I don't think he'd fare well against a coyote. He wanted to go after a small wolf (smaller than him) once and it was pretty obvious that the wolf wanted to and could have taken my dog. When it comes down to something that needs to be cagey and needs to kill and fight to survive versus something that sits around the house licking himself all day, my money would be on the former.

We had a pitbull basenji mix (don't ask; probably involved a step ladder) when I was growing up. I've little doubt she would have shredded a coyote that went anywhere near one of us kids, even if it meant losing her life in the process.

[ronin]

On Wednesday, a Temecula woman was baby sitting a 4 yr old and found a coyote in her house. She threw stuff at it and it still wouldn't leave. Finally she beat it with a ruler until it left. No word on whether she was a nun in an earlier life.

[HFWR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marquette When it comes down to something that needs to be cagey and needs to kill and fight to survive versus something that sits around the house licking himself all day, my money would be on the former.

Guess I'm hosed...

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronin No word on whether she was a nun in an earlier life.

Top 5 Most Badass Nuns Of All Time - The List Universe

[bright eyed]

I think the coyotes are staging a revolt - there were several sightings and more than the 2 attacks in the news, then there was one much farther away in arrowhead - guess all those howls at night are more like conference calls!

Or is this more like the shark phenom where this happens but not reported?

There's a huge nature reserve behind that park making it more susceptible than other areas...and there are "green spaces" in that region made specifically for the wildlife - of which coyotes are one of the major species =b

[Zoocat]

The coyote is not a very aggressive animal. We have lots of coyotes around my town (Boulder, CO) and there are never any stories about them being aggressive toward humans. Of course, they will attack and eat a cat or a dog if they can. That is their nature. This is not a problem. The problem is human encroachment into areas where coyotes have lived for eons. In my opinion, humans need to adjust their behavior if they are going to live in proximity to wild animals.

Yes, Caroline, great and weird minds think alike!

Just an aside about domestic dogs as protectors: My son's dog saw a coyote behind their duplex one late afternoon and went after it. This is just an ordinary mutt, part huskie, part who knows?
Also, one time I was hiking on a trail and my Golden Retriever stopped, stared down the slope of the mountainside, growling low, and the hair on his back stood up. He was very intent on whatever it was. I tried to see what he was staring at but couldn't see anything. So I got out of there really fast. He's never acted that way about any wildlife we have encountered from foxes, to coyotes. I am afraid it might have been a cougar. And I have no doubt after that incident that my Teddy bear of a Golden Retriever would have attacked a cougar to protect me.

[HFWR]

Someone ate the baby
It's rather sad to say
Someone ate the baby
So she won't be out to play
We'll never hear her whiney cry
Or have to feel if she is dry
We'll never hear her asking why why why
Someone ate the baby

Someone ate the baby
It's absolutely clear
Someone ate the baby
Cause the baby isn't here
We'll give away her toys and clothes
We'll never have to wipe her nose
Dad says that's the way it goes
Someone ate the baby

Someone ate the baby
What a frightful thing to eat
Someone ate the baby
Though she wasn't very sweet
It was a heartless thing to do
The policemen haven't got a clue
I simply can't imagine who
Would go and (burp) eat the baby...

Shel Silverstein