Coyotes may be killing pets in Seattle

09:49 AM PDT on Tuesday, July 12, 2005

By ROBERTA ROMERO / KING 5 News

SEATTLE - Steve Millard wasn't too worried when his family cat, Angelo, wasn't seen on Wednesday night.

After all, Angelo was a cat who liked to wander. But this time he may have wandered right into the path of a coyote.

"It was very traumatic when the neighbor came over and we figured out that Angelo had been killed," said Millard.

Residents in northeast Seattle say they have seen a definite increase in missing cats, and some people have seen coyotes.

"But I didn't realize there were coyotes in the Seattle city limits. I thought I was living in a metropolitan area," said Millard.

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All Steve Millard has left of Angelo is his collar, a few pictures and memories.

There are no hard numbers on exactly how many coyotes are wandering the streets and greenbelts in Seattle and King County, but the Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that number is in the thousands and at this time of year the coyotes are out in force to hunt for food for their pups.

Volunteers who work at Sarvey Wildlife Center know just how abundant wildlife is in Seattle and urban areas. A coyote pup was found near Kent and brought to the Sarvey sanctuary in Arlington. He joins a menagerie of animals, including eagles, bears, deer and raccoons. Most were found in populated places.

"I would highly recommend that they make their cats indoors at this time, get yourself a litter box, leave your cat inside," said Kaye Baxter of Sarvey. "If you have a small dog, take him out on a leash."

All Millard has left of Angelo is his collar, a few pictures and memories.

"We're going to mourn for a while," said Millard.

He hopes by warning others they won't have to lose their pets as well.

Coyotes are not known for attacking humans and while they are considered to be cunning they are also very skittish and should run away from humans.