Orange County Register

Orange County residents won’t be surprised to hear that wild animals can and will attack domesticated pets. In the past three months, residents have reported numerous attacks by coyotes to both cats and small dogs.

Leigh Hobson of Mission Viejo wrote The Register of one such attack in May:

I’m writing to report that one of the many, many coyotes living with impunity in the city of Mission Viejo killed my little dog.  On May 23, at about 10 p.m., Snuggles and I walked out into our front yard so that he could “go” before bed.  I was close by, and in bright light, but I couldn’t reach my little guy when a coyote dashed in from nowhere, grabbed him, and ran down the street.  I screamed and ran after them as fast as I could, but it was hopeless. He disappeared into the dark.  Snuggles, a 7.5-pound, all-black Shih Tzu, would have been 7 years old in July.  He was the most loving little guy ever.

Brea-based Veterinary Pet Insurance released this week its “Top 10 Wild Animals That Attack Pets” report after reviewing more than 500 laceration/bite wound claims for 2008.

In addition to the usual suspects — snakes, coyotes and raccoons — VPI received claims for pet injuries caused by a squirrel, scorpion, javelina, porcupine, ground hog, skunk, rat, goat, beaver, woodchuck, black bear, mountain lion, hawk, rabbit, sea urchin, and jellyfish.

According to VPI, wild animal attacks typically result in pet insurance claims for treatment of lacerations, bite wounds, puncture, and soft tissue trauma. Snakebites may require antivenin and scorpion stings may cause allergic reactions requiring antihistamines.

Treatment protocols vary depending on the severity of the attack and costs can range from hundreds of dollars for bandages or stitches to thousands of dollars for surgery for damaged organs or broken limbs.

Donna, of Huntington Beach, wrote of her encounter with a coyote:

On May 15 at 6:45 a.m., I was walking my 10-pound Shih Tzu in Central Park. We had just passed Shipley Nature Center and a coyote came up behind us and attacked my dog.  I turned and looked right as the coyote  was going for my dog.  I screamed, swung at the coyote and picked my dog up.  The coyote came towards us again and again I screamed and stomped my feet but the coyote would not go away. I have been walking my dog in Central Park for seven years and have seen coyotes on many occasions but have never seen a coyote so aggressive.

“Whether in urban or rural areas, pet owners should be aware of the danger posed by wild animals,” said Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI.

“Not all members of the animal kingdom observe backyard fences, or appreciate the curiosity of a pet that may enter their territory,” McConnell said.

Also in May, a mountain lion tangled with a dog, Hoggie, in Cleveland National Forest. The dog sustained deep, gouging injuries to his side but was saved by his owner’s quick actions and subsequent surgeries.

(Click on the photo for more on Hoggie.)

Follow coyote sightings around Orange County at our interactive coyote map. We’ve got another batch of sightings to add, so stay tuned.

And for anyone wondering what a javelina is:

Javelina (and scorpion claims) were exclusive to the state of Arizona. Javelinas, or peccaries, are feral pig-like omnivores native to the southwestern U.S. They have been known to viciously attack both pets and people.

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