Neighbors reported hearing coyotes howling and then heard the dog being attacked while he was in the back yard around 2:30 a.m. The small Yorkie terrier was attacked and taken by coyotes. The yard backs up to a pond area.
The owner, who was watching from the back door, reported that the coyotes came from the tall grass around the pond, grabbed the 5-year-old dog, who was about 11 lbs., and took him back into the weeds. He said it happened faster than he could react.
This incident is believed to be the first reported coyote attack in North Aurora, though many residents of the area report hearing coyotes frequently and having occasional sightings.
There was another coyote encounter Saturday around 10:30 p.m. in Tanner Trails Park. A man was walking his small dog on a leash when he encountered two coyotes in the baseball field near the northeast corner of the park. They did not attack, but they did not run away either.
Coyotes are about the size of a medium sized dog. Most adult coyotes weigh 25-35 lbs. Some may be as big as 40-45 lbs. They have pointed ears, a thin muzzle, and a bushy tail. They are usually a grayish brown with reddish tinges, but may vary from silver-gray to black.
