Irvine resident Rachael Rennie experienced a terrifying moment when a coyote attacked her dog, Rocky, during a Saturday evening walk. Rennie was walking her dogs, Mishka and Rocky, when she spotted a coyote across the street. Despite her attempts to scare it off, the coyote zeroed in on Rocky, her five-year-old Schnauzer-Poodle mix, grabbing him by the neck and pulling him out of his harness.
Neighbors responded to Rennie's calls for help and managed to chase the coyote away, forcing it to drop Rocky, who was rushed to a veterinarian. The attack left Rocky with significant injures and facing significant medical bills. Rennie told ABC7 "I have an emotional connection to him," she said, noting that Rocky is the last connection to her late father.
Five days after the attack, Rocky is on the road to recovery and Rennie has started a GoFundMe page to help cover medical expenses. She is also urging other pet owners to take extra precautions, such as using coyote vests. Residents are encouraged to report wildlife incidents to help authorities monitor and address coyote activity in the neighborhood.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that Rennie followed recommended safety measures, like keeping her dogs leashed and trying to appear large. However, they advised reporting such incidents to identify potential trends in the area.