Coyote Attacks Family Pet In Chattanooga

Earlier this year, News 12 brought you the story of a coyote that killed a family pet in Red Bank.

Now the wild animals are being blamed for an attack in Chattanooga.

But what can really be done to stop them?

The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency or TWRA officials admits they do get a lot of reports of coyote sightings and a few reports of coyote attacks. But all-in-all they say the wild animals are not a problem.

And when dealing with the wild animals, they say there are limited options.

The evidence of the attack on the Craigmiles' 12-year-old Lhasa Apso is still fresh.

Owner Barbara Craigmiles says, "We let him out to use the bathroom and we heard this screaming and looked out of the window and these two dogs, one had him by the neck, and the other one had him by his hind legs and they were pulling and he was in a tussle."

The Craigmiles' called Animal Control, thinking the animals that attacked their dog were just strays...

Criagmiles adds, "While they were here they told us it was a coyote."

Matt Majors/TWRA adds, "It's just part of the food chain for them. They're just looking for a meal."

Majors sympathizes with the Criagmiles.

His family pet was attacked by a coyote just a few weeks ago.

But he says his agency has done all they can to help cut down on these kind of attacks.

Majors adds, "Our agency actually has put the most liberal hunting season you can have, open year-around with no limit. They are not native to Tennessee so we consider them a nuisence wildlife."

Lethal control is one option but Majors says, though difficult, trapping is another.

Majors says, "Our agency permits wildlife damage control and nusience wildlife animal control people to come and trap these things."

After concerns from the public TWRA partnered with the city last year to remind people to be more cautious.

Barbara Craigmiles has her own advice.

Craigmiles adds, "I would just let the people in this area know, don't let your small kids out by themselves, watch out for them and watch your pets, even in your own yard because these things are not afraid to come into your yard."

Wildlife removal specialists also remind the public to keep trash put away.

This time of year their food source is scarce and these are pretty brazen animals.

Coyotes are most active in the late evening or night.

But as witnessed by the Criagmiles, it's not unheard of to see them in the daytime.