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Police noted that coyotes are typically more defensive at this time of year because it is their denning and birthing season.
Beverly police issued a coyote warning after a dog was attacked Monday at a trailhead. David L Ryan/The Boston Globe
Beverly police are warning residents about coyotes in the area after a dog was attacked Monday near a city trailhead.
Shortly after 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the Fox Hill Trail entrance on Tall Tree Drive for a report of a coyote attacking a dog that was being walked near the trailhead. The owner took their dog to a local veterinarian to be treated for “unspecified injuries,” police said in an announcement.
When officers arrived at the trail, they found a coyote and her pups in a den about 30 feet from the entrance. Since the space is part of their natural environment, they were left alone, according to police.
Coyotes tend to be defensive at this time of year because it is their denning and birthing season, especially when dogs are nearby. Beverly police urged residents to keep their dogs leashed, take caution when walking in wooded areas, avoid approaching coyotes or their dens, and report any aggressive behavior towards people.
“Coyotes are a part of our natural environment, and while they typically do not pose a threat they can be protective and defensive this time of year, so we are encouraging residents to be aware of their surroundings and to take appropriate precautions,” Beverly Police Chief John LeLacheur said.
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