In place of our usual dog of the month, we are honoring and remembering Benny, a much-loved member of the Central Bark Family. Benny was a Yorkshire Terrier who has been coming to Central Bark with his sister Sandi since he was adopted by his family. On November 7th, he lost his life to a coyote attack behind his own home in Hinckley. He was briefly outside with his sister before being carried off. His brief warning barks were cut off, but his sister was safe.
While nothing can completely protect against coyote attacks, please take extra caution as coyotes are in the area. Here are some things which can reduce the likelihood:
Keep small pets (cats, small dogs and other pets) indoors from dusk until dawn. Or keep pets in a coyote-proof yard, area or cage from dusk until dawn.
– Feed your dogs indoors. Or, if you feed them outdoors, do so during the day and never leave pet food out at night.
– Make sure trash is not left outside in bags and that all trash cans have secure lids with locking mechanisms. Secure the cans to a fence or wall with rope or elastic cord so the trash cannot be tipped over.
– Install motion sensitive lights in your back yard and around your house.
– Don’t overflow bird feeders. Hang them high or in areas that are not accessible to coyotes.
– NEVER feed coyotes.
– Clear brush and vegetation to remove habitat for small animals that may attract coyotes and to remove areas where coyotes can hide while stalking their prey.
We will miss Benny more than we can say. Six years was too short a life. Please join me in sending warm thoughts to his family.
