According to the Statesville Record & Landmark, a pack of wild coyotes killed a deer and two dogs this week in a Iredell County man’s front yard.
“It all happened within a blink of an eye,” Barringer, 53, said. “It’s just a sick feeling.”
The attack occurred at David Barringer’s home on Old Mill Drive, off Highway 70 on Monday morning. Moments after he let his 2 Dachshunds outside, a pack of coyotes attacked and killed a deer, then one of his dogs, and chased and presumably killed the other dog.
He then started running and screaming at the coyotes, which caused them to scatter (a tactic he remembered hearing from one of his neighbors).
Coyote sightings and attacks have become an increasingly common occurrence around the Charlotte region – even in urban South Charlotte neighborhoods:
Coyote concerns continue in a S #CLT neighborhood @wcnc pic.twitter.com/70BzMBjdkf
— Xavier Walton (@xmanwalton) October 25, 2016
Just this past February, a German Shepherd therapy dog was attacked by a pack of coyotes in Weddington.
Some residents are now equipping their yards with flashing light coyote deterrents, and ultrasonic pest repellers, both of which work on solar power and are motion sensitive.
Officials with the animal control recommend:
▪ Keeping your yard free of any garbage or lingering food smells.
▪ Keep dogs on leashes when walking them, as coyotes are much less likely to approach if a person is nearby.
▪ Look around your backyard for the animals before you let the dogs out.
▪ If you encounter a coyote, back away slowly while yelling and waving your arms. Don’t run.
▪ Call 911 if you are being threatened by coyotes or other animals.
Have you seen any coyotes around your property?