
Henderson, Nev — A dog severely mauled in Anthem was likely the victim of a coyote attack.
The small dog, a Bichon Frise, nearly died from the severe injuries it sustained in the suspected coyote attack on Sunday morning after the coyote scaled a seven-foot high fence.
Rex the dog, according to Fox 5 Vegas, is expected to make a full recovery but did require at least 80 stitches.
Coyotes have been previously been spotted in the Anthem community, located in Henderson, Nev.
The landscaping , water and golf courses and water attract coyotes to the area.
It is most common for a coyote attack to occur in the evening, but, as evidenced by the latest pet mauling, attacks can occur at any time of the day or night.
Pet owners can take steps to make their homes, especially their backyards, less attractive to coyotes.
Food or water should not be left outside especially overnight. Trash should be kept secured with tight-fitting lids.
Since coyotes are generally fearful of people, motion-activated lights and sprinkler systems can startle a coyote and cause it to run away if it was in the midst of attempting to gain entry to a backyard.
The most import thing that an owner can do is to prevent a coyote attack is to make sure that their pet is never unattended outdoors – even in a backyard. Also, dogs of any size should be leashed when outdoors and never be allowed to roam free.
Pet owners should also consider blocking their dog’s access to pet doors or even removing them entirely. Owners are simply not able to protect their pet if they do not know their pet is outside.
For more tips of preventing a coyote attack, Nevada Department of Wildlife offers a free informational guide.