On cape cod bout 20 years ago they were investigating a rash of small/medium sized pet disappearances. A single den was eventually found a few hundred yards from a large residential area. There were more than 30 pet and flea collars in the den. This is what prompted our contention that small children were at risk and should never be left unattended in a backyard. This is what prompted our coyote/baby film. Shortly after a 3-4 yr old was attacked in a backyard.
I read herein where someone contends coyotes bite the throat to kill. I've seen coyotes kill. From a hilltop, I once watched a pack chase a small buck onto a frozen pond covered with 1" of new snow. The deer couldn't move, while the dogs were perfectly at home on the ice. They surrounded the deer. The buck turned and turned to face the last dog that bit it. When it turned another dog would bite it from behind. It took 1/2 hour for the buck to fall. I never saw any attempt by any dog to bite the throat, even after it fell. When the deer fell they tore into the guts while the deer screamed. They pulled its intestines out onto the snow but left the meat largely intact. An area about 1/2 acre was covered in blood from the struggle. The deer had run and run as the coyotes bit its legs and quarters. That deer died horribly, as do all animal coyotes kill.
I've investigated numerous kill sites. Notwithstanding a rabbit or other small game critter, I have never seen any coyote kill by a throat bite. They hunt in packs. They harry an animal until one or more can bite the abdomen, quarters and rear legs, often severing tendons. When the animal falls from exhaustion and blood loss, coyotes rip their way into the abdominal cavity and eat the intestines and organs. This process happens while the animal is alive and screaming. Coyotes simply do not possess the ability or tools necessary to kill large prey like the big cats. This is how your pet lab, Frosty dies.
A death by coyote is perhaps the cruelest in nature. There is no place in our world for them and they should be "extincted" with extreme prejudice! One day they will find a child killed by coyotes.
