Pet owners in the Denver-metro city of Lafayette have been urged to exercise caution after two small dogs were attacked by coyotes over the last two days.

According to the local police department, the dogs sustained life-threatening injuries. One encounter took place in a yard on Shoshone Trail and the other in a yard on Hawk Ridge Road. Both of the yards reportedly back up to open space areas. The attacks occurred during morning hours.

This follows a similar warning sent to residents of Denver-area Wheat Ridge in recent weeks. In that case, the deaths of two small dogs had recently been blamed on coyotes.

The coyote-related happenings taking place in both areas go to show that urbanization does not mean a space is free of wildlife-related risks. In the case of coyotes, small dogs and cats are often viewed as a source of prey, though larger dogs can be at risk of attack, too.

It’s been advised to keep dogs on-leash and within five feet, and also that pet owners should be scanning backyards prior to allowing dogs outside. Those with small dogs should go outside with their pet.

Coyotes can be described as “opportunistic hunters,” which typically involves a diverse diet that can include domestic animals. People should avoid contact with coyotes and discourage their presence by removing possible attractants like trash, fruit-bearing plants, and water sources, also working to haze coyotes away if they do appear. Loud noises can often do the trick.

Coyote attacks on humans are rare, but can occur. Smaller children have an elevated risk of attack, as do people who opt to put themselves within close proximity of coyotes (remember, coyotes might resemble dogs, but they’re a wild species that’s unpredictable and often aggressive). It’s also worth stressing that, as is the case with any wildlife in Colorado, people should not be feeding coyotes.

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