If I hadnt seen it for myself I wouldn't have believed it. Herc was out for his nightly pee, and when I went to get him I saw another animal out there with him. It was a coyote!! Although we live right in a city, we have always known they are out there, we hear them often and I have seen one in my yard once before. I couldnt believe my eyes, but I swear it was playing with Herc! They were running and chasing each other... kinda frolicking lol...no growling...... without thinking I went tearing out there, in the snow, pregnant, in my slippers, calling Herc's name. Much to my shock he came, passed me and went to the back door to be let in.... and left me out there!!! Initially the coyote started following him, but luckily stopped. What a fright I got!! Another night my husband looked outside and there were 3 of them in our yard, one was lying down chewing on something. Our yard is not fenced and there is lots of bush and field all around. A couple other nights I went out with Herc on his leash and sure enough they started their howling and yipping which makes him go wild, so I immediately brought him inside. I've heard that coyotes have the ability to throw their voices, so you have no clue how close or far they really are!! I feel so lucky that that one night there seemed to be only the one (playing with him) but I am so terrified they'll come as a pack... and not be so friendly. I am all for leaving wild animals alone, I think too many lose their homes in the wild due to us humans.... but I am so scared, now I'm having nightmares!!! I woulda thought that Herc's scent would dissuade them from visiting our yard, but they don't seem to mind
I don't know how to protect Herc from them...... other than going out with him everytime he goes out.