Coyote kills dog in East Providence, animal control says

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Residents of an East Providence neighborhood said they often saw Zelda, a 15-year-old miniature poodle, side-by-side with her owner.

"I see her every morning when we go out walking. She's usually weeding her yard, and her dog is right next to her," Neome Morris said.

Zelda's owner, who didn't want to be identified, said moments after she let the little dog out just after 6 a.m. Wednesday, a devastating attack happened.

"The owner actually saw the incident happen. She was inside the house and saw the animal take her dog outside. From her description, she said it was a large animal which fit the description of a coyote," said William Muggle, East Providence Animal Control supervisor.

The woman ran outside. The coyote ran away, dropping Zelda out of its mouth.

But it was too late.

"It's heartbreaking because I know how much her dog means to her," Neome Morris said.

People in the Manning Drive neighborhood said it's not uncommon seeing or hearing animals like coyotes.

"We see lots of deer, turkey, a couple coyotes, and we've had this fox pretty frequently throughout the spring and summer this year, and this is the first time i've of an animal attacking anything, said Jared Morris, a neighbor.

It's the second time in a few days that coyote killed a dog in Rhode Island.

A Johnston man took pictures of a coyote that he said killed his dog off Downing Street on Saturday.

"We hear them, but we haven't heard of them taking anybody's animals at all, until today," Neome Morris said.

East Providence Animal Control said people should watch their pets at all times when they're outside.