The Milwaukee County Parks Department has received more reports of altercations between coyotes and pets off-leash across the county as the number of attacks continues to rise in the county.
A pack of coyotes and four dogs got into a fight at County Ground Park in Wauwatosa this week. The Department of Natural Resources said the coyotes were probably protecting their den or pups. The dogs were off leash and followed the coyotes into the woods where they got into an altercation. The DNR said the dogs suffered minor injuries.
In Fox Point earlier this week a dog owner said a coyote followed her and her 120-pound dog about four feet away.
"And then when I tried to get big and stomp my foot to yell get out of here it didn't even budge."
The dog got loose and chased after the coyote.
"And then when he came back the coyote started howling and then the next thing you know there were three more coyotes that were with him and they surrounded us."
The Parks Department said it's not unusual for a coyote to escort you out of their range by following you and your pet.
In Shorewood last month near Hubbard Park, Judy Klyver said a coyote got very close to her service dog.
"I was sitting on the patio at the back of the building and the coyote came up from being in the trees and started to come across the grass towards my dog," said Judy Klyver, Shorewood.
She thinks coyotes are seeing dogs off leash and that's making them bolder.
"I realize how fast it can happen now and that really scared me," said Klyver.
She even changed her routine by taking different routes to avoid the trees.
You can protect your pets by keeping them on a leash. It is a law in Milwaukee County to keep your dogs on a leash unless you're in a designated dog park.
The Parks Department said if you do come in contact with a coyote make loud noises and use large movements.
