An animal control officer in a Massachusetts town mistakenly shot and killed a pet dog, believing it to be a coyote, sparking outrage from the dog's owner. The incident occurred when police received a report of a coyote in a residential backyard and the officer, upon encountering what was thought to be a threatening animal in the woods, fired the fatal shot. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the animal was a pet dog wearing a flea collar, not a coyote.
The dog's owner, who described the dog as a husky named Odin, expressed frustration over the use of lethal force, suggesting that non-lethal methods could have been employed. He emphasized that his dog bore no resemblance to a coyote and received overwhelming support from the community following the incident.
The police chief defended the officer's actions, attributing the mistake to the dog's appearance and the officer's experience with coyotes in the area. He advised dog owners to secure their pets and take precautions to prevent similar mix-ups in the future.
The shooting occurred amidst a rise in interactions between people and coyotes in Massachusetts and beyond. Some towns have resorted to lethal measures to address the issue, while scientists warn that hunting coyotes may not effectively reduce their populations and could lead to unintended consequences.
Northbridge, where the incident took place, has witnessed an increase in coyote-related calls, prompting concerns about coexisting with these animals. The town, located west of Boston, is grappling with the challenges of balancing wildlife management with pet safety and community well-being.
