Dog grabbed by coyote in N.W. Calgary yard

A Calgary woman says her dog Gertie is lucky to be alive after it was grabbed by a coyote in her yard on Wednesday.

Brandie Cumbers let hertwo-year-old Yorkshire terrier out early in themorning in the northwest community of Briar Hill when itwas grabbed by a coyote.

The coyote then proceeded torun down the road with Gertie in its mouth.Cumbers chasedthe coyote down her street, around the corner and into a busy street beforeitdropped her dog in the middle of the road.

She said the coyote, which was about the size of a German shepherd,didn't appear to be afraid of her and didn't run away.

"She has 14 bites," said Cumbers."They're all kind of like that around her neck and body, and nothing broke. Nothing internalso super lucky. I don't know how she's alive."

Coyotes are a common type of urban wildlife. The city advises people to watch their pets or small children in areas where coyotes have been spotted.

If a coyote approaches do not run or turn away, instead keep eye contact and slowly back away. Officialsalso suggest making loud noises by banging sticks, clangingpotstogetheror shouting to keep them from getting habituated to people.