Dog Survives Coyote Attack in Portsmouth

Note: Photo is of a coyote observed in the area but not confirmed to be the animal that attacked the dog.

PORTSMOUTH, RI—Police said that a large breed dog was attacked by a coyote in the area of Black Point Lane on Jan. 25 and the incident is under investigation.

The dog managed to escape but suffered a large bite wound, police said, and the dog was transported for treatment.

Portsmouth’s animal control officer is investigating the incident and the public is being asked to report any coyotes acting abnormally in the area to call dispatchers at 401-683-0300 or the ACO at 401-643-0136.

Portsmouth has been grappling with conflicts between coyotes and people for years, but concerns have increased in recent years. There have been increased sightings reports and pet attacks and experts say they are fueled in part by residents who have been feeding or leaving food out for coyotes to eat.

One Portsmouth woman was recently fined for feeding coyotes after repeated warnings from police that she was breaking a local no-feed ordinance.

The Narragansett Bay Coyote Study, which has been studying the coyote population in Rhode Island since 2004, has concluded that keeping food out of reach is the single most effective strategy in controlling their population.