UPDATE: The owner of Tina the dog now says that the dog did not have to be put to sleep and is expected to survive following surgery tonight. Vets initially said there was no hope for the animal and the dog’s owner is very relieved but concerned about the cost of the surgery. Vets expect bills to exceed $1,00 for Tina’s recovery.
UPDATE 8:30pm We just got back from the area near Raye Playfield where the coyote attacked a small dog this afternoon. Police officers are in the area, warning pet owners about the coyote attack. Officers now tell us that they believe there may be two coyotes living in the neighborhood. They are watching for the coyotes in the wooded area on the east side of Raye playfield between 23rd and 24th Ave West on Armour. The officers warn against leaving any small pets outside and say all dogs should be on a leash.
UPDATE: 6:30pm The coyote that has been living in Magnolia for the past two months attacked a small dog this afternoon. The dog and its owner were waiting for the school bus after school at 23rd Ave West and West Armour. The owner says the dog likes to meet the kids as they get off the bus. While they were waiting, the dog spotted the coyote and went to give it a sniff. The coyote quickly grabbed the dog and took it into the nearby brush. Police were called and the dog was rushed to the vet but it was very badly injured. Police did not capture the coyote.
KIRO TV was in Magnolia covering another story and happened to be on the scene when the coyote attacked the dog. Reporter Chris Legeros says the dog, named Tina, is a chihuahua and pug mix. Legeros says he saw a big gray flash of fur as the coyote jumped onto the dog. He says that parents at the bus stop were screaming as the coyote attacked the dog.
The Magnolia coyote has been seen a number of times in the past few days, we have received a number of emails from readers who have observed it in the area.
Jack took these pictures this morning at the intersection of 22nd Ave West and Thorndyke. He says the coyote was attracting lots of attention as many people stopped to check him out and take pictures. He sent us these two shots.
We also got this picture from Timothy who saw the coyote in his yard last night on Armour between 21st and 22nd Ave West. . He said the coyote hung around just long enough to be photographed.
This is the same general area where the coyote has most recently been seen. There have been reports of the coyote in the Magnolia neighborhood since the middle of November.
Thanks for the great pics Timothy and Jack.
20 responses so far ↓
1 Stella // Jan 11, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Why can't anyone catch this thing ???
2 pbkseattle // Jan 11, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Can we stop talking about coyotes in Magnolia? Is it really that big a deal? This is getting pretty old now.
3 seattlelight // Jan 11, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Three months of sightings and the only victim so far seems to be this poor coyote. Chances are that it's eaten dozens and dozens of rodents during its stay, improving the neighborhood and leaving us all in peace.
4 Name // Jan 11, 2010 at 6:40 pm
My husband just (4:30 p.m. Monday) got back from walking our dog on 22nd Ave south of Dravus and a woman on a cell phone approached him to warn him/tell him that a dog was killed by a coyote at Bay View park “just now.”
I have no idea if this is true and did not witness it myself. Anybody out there know if this is legit?
5 Name // Jan 11, 2010 at 8:12 pm
I'll answer my own question. It's true - just saw it on the KIRO 6 p.m. news. Their film crew was actually there when it happened. :/
6 SICK OF YOU ALL // Jan 12, 2010 at 1:04 am
Hey pbkseattle why don't you stop writing about it if it's so boring to you? What, you think everything must be of interest to YOU? Here's a solution for you, like turn the channel. And seattlelight, looks like your unable to grasp the fact that this or these animals are dangerous and aggressive. Can you read? Dog killed in front of school bus full of little kids. Now that's improving the neighborhood and leaving us all in peace. To quote one of you assholes, “Come on - really”?
7 yol // Jan 12, 2010 at 1:12 am
The dog did not die.
8 SeattleRio // Jan 12, 2010 at 3:02 am
Our hearts go out to Lequita Fenton and her family for the loss of her family's beloved dog, Tina. Based on Ms. Fenton's statement, it appears that her dog wasn't on leash and the outcome was very unfortunate.
DFW and officials alike cannot urge enough to anyone who is fully aware that these coyotes are present, they should've taken every precaution to protect their small pets and very young children. Without seriously heeding this advice, the consequences can ultimately be severe.
The coyote is only doing what mother nature intended for the species in order to survive. We as humans only encourage the behaviour if we don't act proactively to eliminate the potential for the loss of a beloved.
If anyone in the neighbourhood is intentionally or unintentionally (i.e. unsecured garbage cans, pet food left out 24/7…) feeding this coyote(s), it increases the risk of endangering not only our lives, our pet's lives, but the coyotes as well. They lose their fear of humans if they associate food with us.
Please take a moment (and print out for neighbourhood friends) to review the follow Washing ton State DFW guidelines on how to avert and handle conflicts with coyotes: http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/coyotes.htm#problems
KIRO video: http://www.kirotv.com/video/22212200/index.html
9 Name // Jan 12, 2010 at 10:13 am
Glad to find out this morning that the reports (including KIRO's 6 p.m. broadcast) of the dog being killed were wrong. Here's hoping little Tina makes a speedy and complete recovery.
10 Name // Jan 12, 2010 at 10:15 am
Valuable information and a well written post. Thanks for taking the time.
11 Womyn2me // Jan 12, 2010 at 10:37 am
The coyote didnt attack the dog. He didnt stalk the dog, or hide in the bushes and jump out to snag the dog.
the coyote saw prey that seemed a good size and grabbed it.
If your dogs or your kids are off leash, small enough to be appropriately sized prey, a predator animal will go for them. period.
12 Womyn2me // Jan 12, 2010 at 10:38 am
because there is no need to. It is just a wild animal. Trust me, your dogs have a greater chance of being attacked by racoons than by the coyote.
13 pants // Jan 12, 2010 at 11:55 am
“Can we stop talking about coyotes in Magnolia?”
no.
“Is it really that big a deal?”
yes.
“This is getting pretty old now.”
Go away.
14 MBWG // Jan 12, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Was Tina on a leash????
15 54chevy // Jan 12, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Coyotes have been hanging around Magnolia for years. In 1996, my family and I were loading up our sailboat at Elliott Bay Marina for an early 5AM departure time. At 1AM we were done loading and as usual, I left something needed at home. I was walking across the parking lot to my truck and there, standing between me and the truck, was a large coyote. We made eye contact for a moment then the coyotes ran off. They feed on nutria and rats that hangout around the marina.
16 amagnoliaguy // Jan 12, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Sounds like this dog wasn't on a leash, which, I believe, is required in Seattle.
17 ballardemican // Jan 12, 2010 at 11:57 pm
my big boxer would love to try!
18 billyjoetolliver // Jan 13, 2010 at 3:42 pm
I'm gunna shoot that damn coyote
19 SeattleRio // Jan 14, 2010 at 12:07 am
If you spot or encounter the coyote(s), please contact Dept of Fish and Wildlife's Bill Hebner at 425.775.1311.
20 lauraleebennett // Jan 24, 2010 at 12:02 am
I lost a cat to raccoons years ago, when I lived near Gas Works Park. My pets are indoor pets now.
Coyotes live in our neighborhood (Redmond/Marymoor Park) too. Although I feel bad for Tina and her owner, I have some sympathy for the coyote; most of the ones I've seen around here are emaciated-looking, not strong and healthy like the one that was trapped and killed yesterday in Magnolia. One news story I read even called the coyote “wiley” because it initially eluded the traps set for it and managed to grab the bait unharmed.
There's just no place for these creatures to go. It's back on us if they lose their fear of humans.
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