LAPLACE, La. -- A LaPlace family's Yorkshire Terrier is recovering after being attacked by a pack of coyotes.
The dog's owners said it happened when they came home from work, and now they want to warn the public about the danger.
Marcus Pierre said, like most nights, he let the dog, Moscato, out for a bathroom break.
“At night when I get off work, I let her just run in the front yard,” said
Within minutes, the dog came under attack just a few feet away from where he was standing.
LaTonya Pierre said the attack unfolded around 9:45 p.m. Friday night.
"She kinda wandered into the backyard, and he heard her whimpering," LaTonya said. "When he came into the backyard, he saw the two coyotes attacking her."
Marcus said a wooded area near their home is where the coyotes appeared.
"They pretty big; it was dark," Marcus said. "All I could see was the head and the eyes. They were in this area."
The family blames two coyotes, who were spotted nearby. They said the animals managed to coax Moscato into a field behind their LaPlace house.
The couple rushed the dog to an emergency animal hospital where she was given x-rays, pain medication and 17-staples.
After Moscato's violent attack, St. John the Baptist Parish officials were contacted by LaTonya Pierre. Officials are now warning the public and said they are hiring a trapper to help tackle the problem.
Jamie Lebranche with Lebranche and Company was hired this week to help.
“This is a live coyote trap, we set these out, they're safe to use,” Lebranche said.
He is setting up traps in problem spots including wooded areas along Highway 51 near Interstate 10.
Officials said an early litter of coyote pups and construction might be the cause of the unusual coyote sightings this year. Normally they are spotted in August and September.
St. John the Baptist Parish Deputy Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Travis Perrilloux said it's a concern to many residents.
"We're receiving numerous calls on coyote puppies," Perrilloux said.
One day at a time is how Marcus Pierre describes Moscato's slow and expensive recovery. The family landed a $1300 vet bill, and to help offset the cost, they set up a gofundme.com account.
The couple has already warned neighbors in their subdivision
“They wanted us to make the neighbors aware to have pets on a leash and to not bring them out at dusk or dawn when they're hunting for food," LaTonya said.
If you spot a nuisance coyote, Saint John the Baptist officials said o give the Parish a call to report the problem.
Parish officials suggested taking steps to protect kids and pets:
- keep dogs on a leash
- don't leave pets alone
- turn on lights
- avoid letting pets out at dusk and dawn
- make noise if you come across a coyote