A Vancouver man is warning other pet owners after his small dog was snatched by a coyote on Saturday in his Point Grey neighbourhood.
David Gens said he was walking his five-and-a-half-year-old teacup poodle, Ellie, near Belmont Street and West 2nd Avenue around 1:30 p.m. when the incident happened.
The Stanley Park Ecology Society’s coyote sighting map lists several recent coyote sightings in the Jericho Beach area.
Several social media users have also reported aggressive coyote behaviour in the Jericho/UBC area in recent weeks.
In a statement, the City of Vancouver told Global News it is aware of a coyote attacking a dog in the park on Nov. 13 and of multiple sightings of coyotes in the area.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family during this time. Coyotes are controlled by the province and managed through the conservation office. Incidents can be reported through the BC RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) line,” reads the statement.
Gens said the whole thing happened so quickly, he barely had time to react. Ellie was off-leash at the time.
He said it was a painful lesson and that he hopes other dog owners take it to heart.
“You can’t live in total paranoia that your dog is going to be taken by a coyote any time anywhere, but it can happen,” he said.
“I certainly know that I will never let a small dog off the leash again after that experience.”
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