Woman warns others after coyotes attack her dog during daily walk

Credit: David McNew

Credit: David McNew

A woman who was out walking her three dogs Friday morning in Smyrna, Georgia ended up being chased by two coyotes.

Trish Gallup told WSB the coyotes bit her 85-pound lab.

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Gallup said her dog, Radar, was bitten three times by coyotes as she took her three dogs out for a walk.

Gallup said as they walked, she heard a commotion, then saw Radar running.

“I thought, ‘Oh my god, this is bad,’” Gallup said.

The other two dogs were not injured.

Wildlife experts told WSB that a coyote attack on a large dog is unusual.

They said it’s not surprising to find coyotes in what they call “transition areas” -- places with cut grass and vegetation.

Dog owner Sarah Clark said she is mindful her dog could be a target, but it won't stop her from taking her dogs on their normal walks.

"I'm always mindful to make sure that she's in my sight and she's not jumping into the weeds or the bushes," Clark said.

Dr. Tina Johannsen, with Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, said there have been more than 650 calls of coyote sightings into their regional offices.

“They're just going from point A to point B looking for something to eat,” Johannsen said.

To keep pets safe, Johannsen recommends keeping cats and small dogs fenced in or on a leash. She also said it is OK to kill coyotes and encourages anyone who is interested to take part in the Coyote Challenge.

The Georgia Coyote Challenge is open to everyone who catches or kills a coyote in the state of Georgia through Aug. 31.

The top prize is a lifetime hunting license.

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