An aggressive coyote killed a three-month-old puppy in a backyard near the Woodside Golf Course last night (December 19) then kept the dog's owners from getting back into their house.  

The incident happened around 6:30 pm at a residence which backs onto the golf course.  Airdrie RCMP Corporal Gina Slaney says the homeowners then called the detachment.

"The report said the coyote attacked a three-month-old puppy in the resident's backyard and was now preventing the homeowners from getting back into their house. Because the coyote was being aggressive to humans, we attended immediately.  Unfortunately, the three-month-old puppy did not survive the attack.  The members were able to get the homeowners back into their house and then they patrolled the area looking for the coyote.  They did locate it a short time later and were able to put the coyote down as it was aggressive to our members as well."

The RCMP located the coyote on the golf course, about 100 metres north of the residence.  The members took the coyote to the detachment while they await Fish and Wildlife to pick up it's body.

Slaney says while coyote attacks are beyond the scope of the RCMP's expertise, and asks people to check the City of Airdrie's website for ways to handle coyote encounters, she does have some common sense advice for dog owners.

"We've seen a few dogs get attacked and not survive these coyote attacks.   Being a dog lover and a dog owner, please make sure you're going outside with your dogs.  When I let my dogs out, I bring a hockey stick with me, silly as that may seem.  Just be prepared because it is becoming more common now."

This is the third coyote attack in Airdrie in a week.  They happened previously on December 14th and 17th at Nose Creek Park.  The December 17th attack was on a young boy who, luckily, wasn't injured when the coyote lunged at his neck and tried to bite him.  He was wearing thick winter clothing at the time which prevented him from being seriously injured.    

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