Dog Walkers Beware – Canine Control Officer warns residents to take precautions to keep pets safe from coyotes after a rash of recent attacks on dogs

By Mark E. Vogler

Coyotes have attacked at least six dogs over the last three weeks, killing four of them, according to Saugus Canine Control Officer Darren McCullough. Five of the attacks occurred during the last two weeks, McCullough told The Saugus Advocate in an interview this week.

“Three months ago, the coyotes weren’t a big issue. It wasn’t bad,” said McCullough, who was appointed as the town’s full-time Canine Control Officer in late October of 2020.

“But it’s become a problem recently, especially in the last three weeks. I’ve put some calls into the state since the attacks to see if we can set up some kind of plan,” McCullough said.

“I think the answer is to learn how to coexist with the coyotes and educate the public on what you can do to protect your pets. People need to know that they shouldn’t put their dog out in the backyard on a leash at night, especially small dogs. And it doesn’t matter if their dog is in a fenced-in yard. Coyotes can scale a six-foot fence like nothing,” he said.

McCullough said the recent rash of coyote attacks on dogs is the worst period the town has experienced in encounters involving coyotes and dog owners since he took over the Animal Control Department. “I don’t know if we’ve had reports of six total [coyote attacks on dogs] during the four years before these recent attacks,” McCullough said.

“The coyotes are getting more brazen, attacking dogs who are out with their owners. People need to start harassing the coyotes. They need to throw rocks and sticks at them. They need to blow a whistle and make a lot of noise to scare them off. Harass them. Harass them. Harass them,” he said.

Public education campaign underway

McCullough has already collaborated with Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s office in beginning the education process. The town sponsored a special forum last month titled “Achieving Coexistence With Coyotes,” which was held at the Saugus Public Library.

McCullough reached out to Dan Prouix, a Problem Animal Control Agent in Massachusetts with many years of experience in wildlife rehabilitation and animal control, to attend the forum and offer tips on how to deal with the growing coyote population that calls Saugus home. McCullough had seen Prouix’s presentation previously and thought it would benefit Saugus. At the library forum, Prouix discussed coyote habitat and behavior, how to avoid conflicts between household pets and coyotes and what to do and who to call if you experience problems with coyotes or come across a sick or injured one.

McCullough said this week that he hopes to have similar forums in the future, while noting there are plans to put a special video incorporating the public education and tips on the Town of Saugus website.

The recent incidents involving dogs that died after being attacked by coyotes occurred on Dudley Street, Wickford Street, Basswood Avenue and Aberdeen Avenue, according to McCullough. He said the two dogs that survived were attacked on School Street and Clifton Avenue. “All of the attacks have occurred from dusk till 10 o’clock at night. All of them have occurred along the marsh area. No attacks were reported during the day, though coyotes have been seen around town during the day,” McCullough said.

In addition to monitoring the attacks, McCullough has been monitoring the coyote activity throughout town. “The Baker Hill area and Bristow Street are probably the Number One and Two hot spots right now,” McCullough said.

“I think there’s a bad coyote in the Baker Hill area. I’m probably going to put some signs up there,” he said.

Concerns about the “habituated coyote”

In most human encounters with coyotes, the coyotes will generally flee if the person starts harassing the animal. McCullough said that the “habituated coyote” – one that has grown used to people and spent time eating human-associated food – is the one to fear the most because it doesn’t run when harassed and is brazen in its encounters with people. This kind of coyote is so bold it will go after pets on a leash with the owner and will even approach and follow people.

Special harnesses and vests with spikes are expensive, but effective ways to protect a dog from an aggressive coyote, McCullough said.

There were 152 calls from the public involving coyote complaints in 2022, according to McCullough. The number of complaints this year through June was 24. McCullough said he believes that the number of overall complaints actually dipped because “the mange did a number on them.” Mange is a contagious skin disease caused by mites.

But while the number of complaints may be fewer, there are growing concerns in recent weeks about violent attacks on dogs and aggressive behavior in spite of the dog owners being nearby. “People with dogs and cats need to educate themselves about the situation and take steps to protect their pets,” McCullough said.

Residents with concerns or questions about coyotes should call Saugus Animal Control Officer Darren McCullough at 781-521-3911 or at 781-231-4176. (Please see related story in this edition: “A Coyote Conversation Continued.”)