Sammy was reported lost last week, but found dead late Friday night from what appeared to be a coyote attack.
Photo credit: Contributed

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Police received reports of another dog apparently killed by a coyote in Fairfield this week. Katie Graham of Mountain Laurel Road told Animal Control officers Wednesday that the remains of her missing family dog were found and appeared to be eaten by a coyote late last week.

Graham sent out photos and information on her lost dog, Sammy, on Friday after the dog had been missing for nearly two days. She told police that the night the dog disappeared she saw a coyote in her neighborhood.

Late Friday evening she found the dog. It was badly mauled, but she was still able to identify it as hers by its face and tags. She called Fairfield Animal Control Wednesday to ask police to use her story to warn other dog owners of the dangers of coyote attacks.

Animal Control officials say that coyote attacks on pets or humans are rare. Confrontations are more likely to happen in the early evening hours when pets are left unsupervised. To prevent similar incidents, officers suggest remaining with your pets when they’re outside, and clearing yards of brush and trash.

If your pet is being attacked, Animal Control officers warn that you should not try to break up the fight with bare hands, as that increases the likelihood of getting bitten by either animal. Instead, make loud noises, such as yelling or beeping a car horn, to scare away the animal.

After such an attack, use latex gloves while handling your pet to make sure no saliva is transferred to you. Then contact your veterinarian, and either Fairfield Animal Control (203-254-3517) or the Fairfield Police (203-254-4800) to report the incident.