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(Memphis 7/30/10) Neighbors in Midtown say a roaming coyote has snatched up pets and rattled their nerves.
It first appeared a few weeks ago. The latest sighting turned deadly on Saturday when someone saw the coyote eating a neighborhood cat in the 1400 block of Central Avenue. Now, people are worried for their pets and even for small children. Each sighting is being tracked by curious and worried Midtowners.
"Sure it's a big deal," said one neighbor. "It's surprising to know of wild animals in the neighborhood."
The latest scare called for an online alert on www.midtownsecurity.blogspot.com when the coyote was seen "devouring a neighborhood cat" not far from Mary Brubaker's house.
"I have a dog who is supposed to protect me, but I'm scared a wild coyote could probably take my dog," said Brubaker.
It's not the first time the wild breed has appeared in Midtown. Neighbors recall a pack of them decades ago.
"This isn't new construction, so you'd think the animals have been displaced for 100 years and they had found a home," said Brubaker. "It's one reason we moved to Midtown is for the safety and the comforts of walking around and meeting friends and being out. So I was really concerned about my child and my dog because we are out a lot."
The family usually walks around the block at dusk -- prime time for a roaming coyote -- but she's not letting it change her routine.
"I don't want it to change my life because she loves being outside and I don't want to deprive her of that because she doesn't know what's going on so I'm not really changing my habits except the husband comes on the walks and its good family time so we're just being careful," said Brubaker. "I'm actually buying mace and taking my chances with it."
Midtowners are trying to catch the coyote before it attacks another pet. If you see it, you can call police and tell them where it's headed. The goal is to set up traps to catch what is hopefully a lone coyote.
- Coyote spotted several times in Midtown
- Coyote seen eating neighborhood cat Saturday
- Neighbors taking precautions
(Memphis 7/30/10) Neighbors in Midtown say a roaming coyote has snatched up pets and rattled their nerves.
It first appeared a few weeks ago. The latest sighting turned deadly on Saturday when someone saw the coyote eating a neighborhood cat in the 1400 block of Central Avenue. Now, people are worried for their pets and even for small children. Each sighting is being tracked by curious and worried Midtowners.
"Sure it's a big deal," said one neighbor. "It's surprising to know of wild animals in the neighborhood."
The latest scare called for an online alert on www.midtownsecurity.blogspot.com when the coyote was seen "devouring a neighborhood cat" not far from Mary Brubaker's house.
"I have a dog who is supposed to protect me, but I'm scared a wild coyote could probably take my dog," said Brubaker.
It's not the first time the wild breed has appeared in Midtown. Neighbors recall a pack of them decades ago.
"This isn't new construction, so you'd think the animals have been displaced for 100 years and they had found a home," said Brubaker. "It's one reason we moved to Midtown is for the safety and the comforts of walking around and meeting friends and being out. So I was really concerned about my child and my dog because we are out a lot."
The family usually walks around the block at dusk -- prime time for a roaming coyote -- but she's not letting it change her routine.
"I don't want it to change my life because she loves being outside and I don't want to deprive her of that because she doesn't know what's going on so I'm not really changing my habits except the husband comes on the walks and its good family time so we're just being careful," said Brubaker. "I'm actually buying mace and taking my chances with it."
Midtowners are trying to catch the coyote before it attacks another pet. If you see it, you can call police and tell them where it's headed. The goal is to set up traps to catch what is hopefully a lone coyote.
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