Dog killed in coyote attack

Photo: Contributed - Andrew Verge

Jack soaking up sun.

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Photo: Contributed - Andrew Verge Photo: Contributed - Andrew Verge Photo: Bill Everitt Photo: Bill Everitt Photo: Bill Everitt Photo: Contributed - Andrew Verge

 

A Summerland man is warning Okanagan residents to beware of coyotes after a brazen daylight attack left two of his dogs injured, one of which had to be put down. 

Andrew Verge grew up in Summerland and takes his dogs on daily walks all over the area. However, his walk on Tuesday morning took a tragic turn that he says he didn't see coming. 

Around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, Verge was walking his four SPCA-rescued Jack Russell Terriers on a popular path at the end of Pierre Drive near Glenfir School.

The residential area is in a wildlife interface zone. After taking only a short walk down the path, it doesn't take long before the houses disappear and the wilderness feel begins to set in.

Verge said it's normal for dog owners to have their pets off-leash while on the path and that this time his little pack was following a few feet behind him when the coyote emerged from the brush and attacked. 

"He jumped out on the path behind me. When I turned around one of my dogs was in his mouth," he said. "Jack (one of the terriers) bit the coyote and they both ran up the hill and I heard this horrible fight."

Verge brought his other three dogs back to the cul-de-sac where he had parked and went back to find Jack, who was laying wounded atop the hill. 

At the vet's office, Jack was diagnosed with severe internal injuries and the decision was made to put the dog down. He was 10-years-old. 

"He, in essence, saved the other three dogs," Verge said.

Paula Cowen lives around the corner from the trail and said it's not unusual to see coyotes in the area. 

"You would normally think they're nocturnal, but they are bold," she said.

Cowen said she occasionally sees coyotes while running and after surprising them on the path a few times, she now puts a bell on her dog's collar. 

Her husband said he frequently sees them in the orchards below their house and in the nearby industrial park.

They usually walk their dog off-leash as well.

Juanita Laye lives on Pierre Drive near the trail and said news of an attack is making her rethink walking on that path. 

"It does give me pause," she said. "We no longer let the dogs off-leash up here. I always watch the hills but I'm just not going to go now." 

As for Verge, he said it's not likely he'll be letting his dogs off-leash on that particular path anymore. 

"Ultimately it's my fault. We are in their area, so I don't blame the coyote," he said. "I just want to give the warning."

Field conservation officer Mike Stern said coyotes are highly adaptable animals that often live in or near urban areas. 

He said there have not been any complaints in the past month of coyote attacks in the Summerland area and there are no plans to cull the population. 

Residents who want to report an animal encounter can call the Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277.