Wauwatosa neighborhood on high alert after Yorkie killed in coyote attack

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WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Five years after Wauwatosa dealt with killer coyotes, the problem has re-emerged. This weekend, a coyote attacked a 15-year-old Yorkie, ending the pup's life. 

The coyote attack happened in the Fisher Woods neighborhood, just off Vliet -- and this one's personal. The dog that was killed, named Brady, belonged to CBS 58's Chief Meteorologist Drew Burgoyne. 

"They were littermates. They've never been separated," said Adrienne Burgoyne, Drew's wife. 

Drew's wife, Adrienne, and their second 15-year-old Yorkie, named Allie, witnessed the attack that happened Saturday, Dec. 11. 

"I just panicked. I panicked," Adrienne said. 

It happened around 8 a.m., minutes after a neighbor on the other side of the block snapped a photo of a coyote in the neighborhood.

"Brady was just right here by these trees and I was standing about here. The next thing I knew it had Brady in its mouth and was just shaking violently and it wasn't deterred by me when I yelled. It just ran to the other side of that white fence and kind of dropped him there," said Adrienne.

Now, Adrienne and Drew hope city leaders will feel pressure to do something. 

"We want action this week. We don't want any of our friends' pets to die," said Adrienne.

"Folks are really on edge right now because you have coyotes that are running through," said Drew.

Wauwatosa police tell us this is the first pet to die from a coyote this year. 

"The last time five years ago all this happened, it took multiple pet deaths for anything to be done, and I don't think that's acceptable," said Adrienne.

Coyotes are referred to as nuisance wildlife. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says it's impossible to eradicate them from urban areas and relocation is difficult, but the Burgoynes hope that can be done. 

"Relocation is not a real viable option either just because if you remove a coyote from a particular area, another one will just fill that vacancy there," said Marty Johnson, Wisconsin DNR wildlife biologist.

Wisconsin DNR Wildlife Biologist Marty Johnson, recommends hazing coyotes, letting them know they're not welcome by throwing things in their direction and yelling loudly if you see one. 

"Carrying a can full of pennies where you can shake and rattle it or carrying some rocks in your pocket to throw it. I would say if you're in your yard, potentially maybe you do want to carry a stick with you," said Johnson.

In addition, make your yard a place coyotes won't like; don't leave food outside, eliminate brush under trees, and set out lights. 

"I'll never get that image out of my mind. He shook him violently and I knew right away that he wasn't gonna survive. We brought him in and we were all able to hold him and say good bye and then we took him to be put to sleep," said Adrienne.

The DNR recommends the iNaturalist app where people post recent sightings of coyotes. 


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