Tiverton Dog Killed By Coyote

A Tiverton pet owner is mourning the loss of her Yorkshire Terrier this weekend after an apparent attack by a coyote - reminding us all not to leave our pets unattended.

One Tiverton pet owner's worst fears were confirmed last week after the remains of her 12-pound Yorkshire Terrier, Cody, were found bearing the scars of an apparent coyote attack. Cody, a dark-coated terrier, went missing on the afternoon of Oct. 10 near Highland Road. Despite his owner, Brenda Doster's, best efforts to find him, nature played its course and Cody's body was found yesterday. "It looks like it was a coyote," she said in an email on Saturday night. "The neighbors claim they have seen many. It may be a good idea to remind people to watch their pets carefully. Coyotes are out there and we learned that lesson the hard way." Unfortunately for pet owners in the wooded areas of Newport County, Cody's story is not unique. In late …

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Should Middletown Attempt to Control the Coyote Population? [Poll]

Should the town of Middletown try to control the Coyote population?

As the days grow shorter and winter eventually sets in, the food supply for Coyotes will grow more scarce and the risk to pets and livestock might increase.  Although some pet related incidents were reported last winter, attacks to humans are extremely rare, said Middletown Animal Control Officer Joseph Nunes. According to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Coyotes have been part of Rhode Island’s fauna for over thirty years and are an important component of the ecosystem. The DEM claims that campaigns to reduce the population are expensive and are generally unsuccessful. Despite that, several Middletown residents have called for Coyote population control.  "It's hunting season, let's get some professionals down…

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Bryan

6:09 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Hear Hear pferd.Well said....   more ›

Stalked By a Coyote, Why Pet Owners Must Be Vigilant

An encounter with a coyote reminds us to not leave our pets unattended

About one month ago, I took my two Shih Tzus, Mochie and Meatball, for their evening walk up Green End Avenue, a routine that is rivaled only by a trip to the bank (which comes a cookie). Although our regular path cuts through the baseball field behind the Middletown Senior Center, one animal had a different plan for our evening.   Throughout the summer, I had witnessed glimpses of the creature; the shadow of his tail as he ran across the street, a flash of fur as he jumped into the brush.  This time, as if to formally introduce himself, the coyote stood his ground, in the middle of the sidewalk. I knew he was not curious to meet me; but rather my two, over-trusting, well padded companions.  I clapped my hands and yelled. The coyote slowly…

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MichAEL

9:06 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

You should kill all the babies also.Maybe you can watch.thats right once the mom and dad are gone the babies well starve.your like that........   more ›

Coyote Feeding Penalties Take Effect, Dog Fees and Fines Go Up

Here's a look at four town ordinances passed by the Middletown Town Council Tuesday night and what they mean to you.

The Middletown Town Council on Tuesday night adopted four ordinances pertaining to animals—both wild and domestic—that come with financial impacts to law-abiding dog owners as well as law violators.    As a result, dog license and registration fees are going up, leash law violators will see stiffer fines from now on, and Middletown officials now have local authority to fine anyone caught feeding coyotes. Following the Second Readings of each item Tuesday night, the Town Council voted 5-0 to pass the four new local laws, with councilors Antone Viveiros and Ed Silveira absent from the votes. Here’s a look at Middletown’s new and updated local laws pertaining to pets and wildlife: As part of the town’s multi-pronged approach to dealing with …

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Middletown Proposing Big Fines for Anyone Who Feeds Coyotes

Middletown wants to issue tough fines against anyone caught intentionally or unintentionally feeding wild animals such as coyotes.

As part of a long-term, multi-faceted coyote management plan developed in recent months, the Town of Middletown is working to establish local authority to impose tough fines against those caught feeding wild animals. Under a newly proposed ordinance that came before the Town Council Monday night, anyone caught intentionally or unintentionally feeding wild animals, such as coyotes, would face fines of $100 to $500 per day the violation occurs. The ordinance will face a final vote and is expected to pass. The new fines would dovetail Department of Environmental Management (DEM) enforcement regulations. If passed, Middletown would become the first municipality in Rhode Island to pass such an ordinance giving local authorities the same power …

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5 Things To Know Today

Today: Coyote Chat on the Point, Preview Gala for Newport Antiques Show

Here's a look at 5 happenings in and around Middletown today.

The Preview Gala for the highly anticipated return of the weekend-long Newport Antiques Show happens tonight at St. George’s School. This evening at 5 p.m. at the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, learn about about the ecological importance of coyotes, misconceptions associated with coyotes, and the Sachuest Point residents, Bonnie and Clyde. Volunteers are being sought to sit during the Secret Garden Tour in Newport in September. The program has provided more than 1.25 million dollars to help art education in local public schools. Cool off today with the St. Michael’s Country Day School presentation of “A Winter’s Tale.” On this day in 1990, fossil hunter Susan Hendrickson discovered three bones in a cliff near Faith, South Dakota…

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