A coyote attack in Oldham County claimed the life of a beloved family pet.The savage attack on a 15-pound dog named Cheeto happened Sunday evening in a Prospect subdivision.The dog's owner, Laura Bailey, said she heard what sounded like a pack of coyotes howling in the woods behind her property.”It's not uncommon for me to hear them out here in Oldham County. Frequently, we hear them. I certainly never know how close they are. I've never actually seen any in my backyard,” Bailey said. Cheeto was in the backyard, which is is surrounded by a five-foot high wrought-iron fence.A short time later, Bailey heard a yelp, then a squeal.”I had this horrible feeling something terrible had happened to him,” Bailey said.Her intuition was correct.One or more coyotes apparently jumped the fence and dragged 5-year-old Cheeto away into the dark.Family and friends began a search of the woods directly behind the Bailey home. They found Cheeto's bloody sweater first, then his body.”All that was left of him was his front torso. So it was his head, his front paws and that was it,” Bailey said, while choking back tears.Bailey said she wanted to share her story so other pet owners realize even a fence may not keep their pets safe from predators.Debbie Croak with the Humane Society of Oldham County says due to construction, the jackals are moving into residential areas.”We've always had a problem with coyotes, but it seems like it has gotten worse this year. We've heard of several attacks where the animals did not make it,” Croak told WLKY News, while offering a last-ditch solution to save a pet being attacked by a coyote, “With deer and turkeys, there are different seasons. I did find out that with coyotes, you can shoot them at any time. Not that that's what I'm recommending.”An option too late to save Cheeto, who is now buried near a bench in the backyard he called home.Cheeto's family moves on with their other dog, Chicklet, while remembering the pet they lost.”It's left a huge hole in my heart,” said Bailey, while looking toward Cheeto's grave nearby.
A coyote attack in Oldham County claimed the life of a beloved family pet.
The savage attack on a 15-pound dog named Cheeto happened Sunday evening in a Prospect subdivision.
The dog's owner, Laura Bailey, said she heard what sounded like a pack of coyotes howling in the woods behind her property.
“It's not uncommon for me to hear them out here in Oldham County. Frequently, we hear them. I certainly never know how close they are. I've never actually seen any in my backyard,” Bailey said.
Cheeto was in the backyard, which is is surrounded by a five-foot high wrought-iron fence.
A short time later, Bailey heard a yelp, then a squeal.
“I had this horrible feeling something terrible had happened to him,” Bailey said.
Her intuition was correct.
One or more coyotes apparently jumped the fence and dragged 5-year-old Cheeto away into the dark.
Family and friends began a search of the woods directly behind the Bailey home.
They found Cheeto's bloody sweater first, then his body.
“All that was left of him was his front torso. So it was his head, his front paws and that was it,” Bailey said, while choking back tears.
Bailey said she wanted to share her story so other pet owners realize even a fence may not keep their pets safe from predators.
Debbie Croak with the Humane Society of Oldham County says due to construction, the jackals are moving into residential areas.
“We've always had a problem with coyotes, but it seems like it has gotten worse this year. We've heard of several attacks where the animals did not make it,” Croak told WLKY News, while offering a last-ditch solution to save a pet being attacked by a coyote, “With deer and turkeys, there are different seasons. I did find out that with coyotes, you can shoot them at any time. Not that that's what I'm recommending.”
An option too late to save Cheeto, who is now buried near a bench in the backyard he called home.
Cheeto's family moves on with their other dog, Chicklet, while remembering the pet they lost.
“It's left a huge hole in my heart,” said Bailey, while looking toward Cheeto's grave nearby.
