Yorkie Killed In Coyote Attack In Wauwatosa

WAUWATOSA, WI — The Wauwatosa Police Department warned residents of an increase in coyote sightings and activity in the area after a dog was attacked and killed.

Drew Burgoyne, a meteorologist for CBS 58, said his 15-year-old Yorkie was attacked and killed by a coyote on Saturday.

The attack happened in the Fisher Woods neighborhood, just off Vliet Street in Wauwatosa.

"A brutal weekend for my family. Our dog Brady was attacked by a coyote in Wauwatosa. Sadly, his injuries were too much to overcome. We are devastated. Hug your fur babies tonight! Wauwatosa needs to get this figured out! I’m not going to stop until something happens," Burgoyne said on Twitter.

Burgoyne told Patch that his wife, Adrienne Burgoyne, let Brady out into the back yard along with their other dog, Allie.

"The coyote came out of nowhere," he said. "It must have been lurking on the north side of our house. It was not deterred by her presence and quickly snatched up Brady, shaking him violently."

Burgoyne said there was no time for Adrienne to make distracting noises or grab the coyote stick they keep on their back porch.

Adrienne Burgoyne "picked up Allie and put her in the house. The coyote carried Brady by the neck into our back door neighbor's yard," he said

He tried to wave his arms and approached the coyote, but it backed away.

Residents have been talking about the coyote issue for months, Drew Burgoyne said. People have been told that there’s nothing that can be done without a verified report of an attack, he said.

The couple has seen countless pictures of coyotes on the Fisher Woods neighborhood page.

"Early Saturday morning, just before Brady’s attack, someone had posted a picture of the coyote on 123rd and Vliet. We didn’t see that picture until it was too late and we suspect it’s the same coyote that killed our pet," Burgoyne said.

The Wauwatosa resident pointed to the city's policy on coyote attack.

"We want the city and the DNR to help relocate them," he said.

Wauwatosa police offered the following tips to keep coyotes from loitering on your property.

• Make sure the lids on your garbage bins are closed.
• Do not leave food out for wildlife as it may attract coyotes and their prey. Never intentionally feed coyotes.
• Keep bird feeder areas clean, as the seeds attract small animals on which coyotes prey.
• Feed your pets indoors.
• Keep your pets secure, particularly small pets that are a potential food source.
• Yell and make loud noises, shake or throw pop cans filled with coins, throw a ball, shoe, sticks or other objects, or spray them with a garden hose. You can also buy ultrasonic dog repellents or pocket-sized air horns.

Police will not remove a coyote based on an annoyance complaint.

"Coyotes are wildlife that live among us and are an important part of or ecosystem," Wauwatose police said in a Facebook post.

If you see a coyote acting oddly or aggressively, call the nonemergency line at the Wauwatosa Police Department, 414-471-8430.

An officer will assess the situation and take any necessary action.

Visit the city of Wauwatosa’s Coyote Nuisance Management and Response Plan Policy for more information.