Coyote Kills Family Dog in New Jersey; Attacks Spark Halloween Safety Concerns

Tragic Dog Attack in Ho-Ho-Kus

• 💔 A family's Shih Tzu, Happy, was tragically mauled to death by a coyote in their backyard within seconds.
• 🐶 Happy's sister, Bear, is now lost without her companion, highlighting the deep bond between the two dogs.
• 🏥 Despite immediate transport to a vet and attempts at CPR, the 8-pound Shih Tzu could not be saved due to a deviated trachea.

Escalating Coyote Activity in Bergen County

• 📈 Ho-Ho-Kus is the latest location in a series of five coyote attacks across neighboring towns in Bergen County within the last month.
• 🏞️ Previous attacks occurred in Saddle River (three times), Woodcliffe Lake, and now Ho-Ho-Kus.
• ⚠️ Concerns are heightened as Halloween approaches, with fears that coyotes, now attacking humans, could pose a threat to children trick-or-treating.

Expert Explanation and Precautions

• 🧐 A coyote expert suggests heightened activity may be due to dispersal season, when young coyotes seek new territory or food sources.
• 💉 Animal control recommended a rabies shot for the family due to close contact with the mauled dog, emphasizing the risk of infection from even small cuts.
• 📰 This incident follows another report of a man fighting off a coyote after being bitten, underscoring the increasing boldness of these animals.