Can a coyote jump 5ft fence with a 10 pound dog in its mouth?????

Question

Last night my 4 month old 10 pound Australian Shephard puppy was killed by what we think was a coyote. Found her body with her gut cut open and her organs hanging out.

My puppy was in a fenced yard with 5-6ft chained fence. So how did the coyote get in and out? There was a small opening under the fence that was dug out but it's barely big enough for the puppy to get out. So how did the coyote do this or was it not a coyote????

Also my 10 month old Austrailan Shephard was with her. So why didn't he protect her? He's like 75lbs and built like a linebacker and always tries to bite strangers that come to the house. So why didn't he attack the coyote?????

I think the coyote didn't finish eating her because I was out there with a flashlight as soon as I realized she wasn't in the yard. She was found only about 50 ft from the fence. My other shephard was barking very loudly so that's how we knew she was gone.

Could a coyote carry her in its mouth then crawl through the little space between the fence and the ground? I mean she's more like 15 pounds and I had carry her with both arms because she felt sorta heavy.

I guess she could have crawled out on her own and then was attacked? Hmmmm....

Answer 1

It is possible the coyote jumped the fence but unlikely it would be able to jump back over with the puppy's weight in its mouth. Coyotes on average weigh only 30lbs and can weigh as little as 15lbs or as much as 50lbs. My dog is 80lbs and can just clear 4 feet, I doubt he'd make that jump with 10lbs in his mouth the same goes for a coyote. So either your puppy got out and then was attacked or it was a different predator altogether. Maybe a cougar or a lynx both of which are larger than coyotes,capable of jumping very high and climbing with prey in thier mouth. If it was a feline that would also explain why your other dog did not interfere... I cant see a large dog not attacking a dog-like coyote but I can see a dog avoiding a large feline. I have never known a dog that didnt treat a coyote like another dog when they saw it, I cant see your dog who is male and protective allowing a canine to trespass on his territory without a fight. Dogs cant tell the difference between wolves, coyotes and other dogs they treat them all the same.
Either way it is really sad that this happened to your puppy, I know I would be devastated I love my dogs, hopefully you can make sure to protect your other dog and warn your neighbours so this doesnt happen again. Sorry for your loss...

PS if you post your location I can check to see what predators are in your area and maybe find some info about pet attacks.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about your puppy.

I've seen German Shepherds clear an eight-foot fence. A five-foot fence should be no problem for a hungry/motivated coyote.

They can also squeeze themselves through some pretty narrow danged openings if they have a mind to. I wouldn't completely discount the coyote getting under the fence either.

Is there a chance that your puppy was the one that slithered under the fence? That would explain why the remains were found outside the yard, and why the larger dog did not protect the puppy.

It's also possible that the larger dog did try to protect the puppy, but was either intimidated by the coyote, or detected the coyote too late (which would explain why the coyote went back over the fence instead of eating it in the yard).

Answer 3

Coyote Jumping Fence

Answer 4

Sorry to hear about your puppy. Yes, a coyote can clear a 6 foot fence with no problem. I used to work in a pet hospital and several clients saw coyotes leap with ease over their 5 and 6 foot tall fences. If you live in an area with coyotes, a small dog should never be let out alone (without human supervision). It may have happened fast and your other dog did not have time to react. The coyote could have been watching from a distance and then attacked. Did your other dog bark at all?? Or your dog could have been in another part of the yard at the time, and the coyote made a quick escape.

Answer 5

GDnm your question has upset me. I really love dogs and have one I love alot right now. I live in Arizona around the coyote' as well.

I think your little pup, just 10 pounds, got beyond the fence. That's how the coyote' got to him without fighting your big 75 pound guy.

The little pup can squeeze under or around the fence in many a place you may not realize.

The big guy was barking cause he couldn't fit and he couldn't jump the fence to save his little friend. I wanna cry just thinking about it.

The other option is worse. You gotta crazy, messed up neighbor angry about all the barking and noise.

Have you thought about the owl? They get big and 10 pounds are easy for them.

Answer 6

I've heard that a coyote and/or coyote pack will act playful and friendly to lure dogs close -- the unsuspecting thinks he's got some canine playmates -- most likely your pup crawled through the fence to play or be social and was unwittingly overcome.

Answer 7

Start Jumping 9 -15 Inches Higher Today!

Answer 8

Very strange. Usually, when a coyote kills an animal, he'll just sit and eat it right there. D--n coyote ate my cat, left only the head, front feet, and a couple of bits of intestine.

Answer 9

Maybe you should check around the fence for holes in the ground or the fence because it is very unlikely that the coyote jumped that. I very sorry though.

Answer 10

Sorry to hear about your puppy, but to answer your question, yes it's possible that a coyote got your puppy. As far as your other dog, I have no idea why he didn't attack, protect, or even bark. Best of luck to you............