Coyotes attacked and mauled an 11-pound dog in Waltham early yesterday morning.
Penny, the injured animal, was taken to the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of New England, a 24-hour animal hospital on Bear Hill Road, where she was euthanized.
This is first recorded coyote attack in Waltham, according to police.
Lt. Joseph Brooks said yesterday around dawn, a resident of Lincoln Street let Penny, a mixed-breed, out the front door to run around the neighborhood near Smith Street, where she was attacked.
"He heard all this yelping," Brooks said. "He went outside with a flashlight. His dog came back but it was all chewed up. They brought it to the vet."
Neighbors are warned to keep tabs on their pets.
"These things kind of create mass hysteria," he said. "Just make sure you keep your dogs on a leash or in a fenced-in yard. Coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk."
Brooks also recommended keeping cats inside.
"There have been reports, not here, but of coyotes who have been known to attack cats," he said.
According to Brooks, Penny, who had been with the family since she was a puppy, lived in a semi-wooded residential area in the 600 block of Lincoln Street, bordering Rte. 128 and Smith Street.
Amy Shroff, a veterinarian at the hospital, said the facility has treated about six pets for injuries received in coyote attacks.
"I've had coyote attacks in my neighborhood. I live in Wayland," she said. "Coyotes tend to be fairly quiet animals that are only looking for food for their young."
Shroff encouraged residents not to take violent action against coyotes.
"It's a situation no one should have to go through. It's really traumatic," she said. "I think the real issue is we're encroaching on their territory. The coyotes, like other animals, are only trying to survive and they need to eat. Unfortunately, smaller dogs and smaller cats, if they are out and not supervised, these things can happen."
Shroff also offered ways for Waltham residents to protect their pets.
"Cats should really be indoor animals. They should be in, in the early morning hours. Small dogs ... it's not just coyotes we worry about, there's other dogs that run in packs," she said. "The typical attack scenario is small or older dogs and cats that are out unattended."
Shroff said pet owners can reduce the chance for attacks by watching over their animals outside at dusk and dawn.
"The coyotes aren't going anywhere," she said. "I think we just need to have more common sense and understand these animals are only feeding. They are not necessarily violent animals."
For more information on Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of New England call 781-684-8387 or visit www.vescone.com.
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or jgilbrid@cnc.com.
