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Photo courtesy iStock images via The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals furbearerdefenders.com
BRAZEN HEIST
Coyote steals dog from Carola’s Quilt shop in Gibsons, BC. I just spoke with Carola by phone.
She told me they opened Carola’s Quilt Shop at 9:30am Friday August 10th.
It was so hot and they had no air conditioning that they opened the back door of the shop to let some air flow through.
Her daughter, Alaina Russell’s dog “Nicky” a 9 year old toy poodle usually stays inside and close by.
Around 10am, Alaina saw a coyote outside the parking lot and went out to scare it away.
When she turned around to go back into the shop she saw a second coyote had snuck into the shop behind her and had Nicky in it’s mouth.
The coyotes seemed to have tag teamed this hoist.
Alaina screamed as the two coyotes ran across Gibsons Way (HWY 101 upper Gibsons) to the Gibsons IGA Plaza, bringing traffic to a stop, as her dad Greg chased after them to no avail.
They called Clint a the Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre who in turn called the Conservation Officer.
The Conservation Officer called and talked with Carola. She said he told her there wasn’t much they can do but they definitely have to start looking at this in the future.
Carola took Alaina to the BC SPCA Sunshine Coast Branch to help cheer her up, as she was devastated.
They took home a rescue dog in urgent need.
If you want to cheer up Alaina or send her a message of support you can email her at Alaina_Russell@sunshine.net
UPDATE:
Global BC and CTV British Columbia both sent a crew over today after I sent them the story. They were on it immediately. Jackie Scott from Carola’s Quilts told me they interviewed Alaina, Carola, and Millie Markham from Happy Cat Haven who had popped by with some roses. The segment should air tonight Aug 11th or tomorrow. Let me know if you see it and send me the link please!
UPDATE Aug 15, 2012.
Rumours were circulating on my facebook social network that the local conservation officers were shooting and killing as many coyotes as they could.
I just spoke with Dean who is one of the Conservation Officers (CO) for the Sunshine Coast. Here is what he told me:
They are conducting and investigation into this incident, particularly as the coyote went into the store. Rumours that they are culling coyotes are false.
Dean was setting up trail cameras in Gibsons to get an assement of their movements and populartion. While he was there for a couple hours he used an electronic calling device to attract them closer but none showed up before he had to leave.
I did ask him what the future plan is, did it include killing coyotes. He said if he had the “opportunity” it could happend, but public “safety” is their #1 concern. They are trying to understand “highly habituated” coyotes, however it’s hard to track or trap them.
He also stated that here on the Sunshine Coast coyotes coming close to humans have not historically been a threat to life. The coyotes are more of a “nuisance” animal especially for taking pets.
In the end, he stressed basically that what needs to be done is people have to realize we live in wilderness and they need to have more diligence with their pets and learn how to live with wildlife.“
Tips, Do’s, Dont’s for Living With Wildlife
http://www.furbearerdefenders.com/campaigns/living-with-wildlife
IN THE NEWS:
I had contacted the major media about this story and well, let’s say, impressive coverage!
CTV BC News Coverage VIDEO
Coyote snatches away pet dog in “brazen” attack
Global BC News Hour – Coyotes attack dog
Sat, Aug 11 – Two coyotes on the Sunshine Coast cornered a small dog, snatching the animal from inside a store in Gibsons. Darlene Heidemann reports.
CBC News Posted: Aug 13, 2012 11:35 AM PT
By Zoe McKnight, Vancouver Sun August 13, 2012
BRACE YOURSELF!
What the community is saying… WARNING some comments may be offensive to some of you. Post a comment/reply below…. LINKS at the bottom of the page. These are comments on my facebook post about this story I broke to the news…
Penny Berdahl
Aweeeee how sad………..Did they get the dog back ??:(
Penny Berdahl
Thank you Duane Burnett For the update on this ….I appreciate it 
Bev Lindskog Blancard
I’m sure I’ll have a lot of people angry about this comment but my husband asked me if we are allowed to shoot the coyotes to protect our animals? We have these nasty animals in our yards constantly and are worried about our neighbourhood cats and our own little dog.
Jan Perry
Something has to be done. It is only a matter of time before it is a child.
Robin Evans Casey
Wow so sad and scary:s
Caitlin Hicks
What a story! So sad for the dog and the dog owners.
Elizabeth Candlish
That is so sad and scary at the same time. Thank you Duane Burnett for keeping us all informed what is happening on the Coast, you do a wonderful job.
Leah Adrienne Blake I agree with you Bev Lindskog Blancard if i see wildlife in my yard , bear, racoon , knock on wood no Coyotee yet, i chase them away, The truck works well for the bear and usually the dog barking or me with the hose works for the racoon , the only wildlife i let stay in the yard is the deer and her fawn cause they help mow the lawn and the ducks , they like to eat slugs , but im telling you a pellet from a pellet gun to the ass boy oh boy if i ever see one
Jennifer Pratt
so, i lived in lower gibsons about 3 years ago, i had 2 small kids under age 4, we got stalked by coyotes all of the time , they would follow us to our front door… our neighbor once had to chase one off our lawn with a baseball bat to scare it away so we could go in our own house ! i called the conservation officer… this is the answer i got ” until someone is ‘injured’ we will not come out to help you ” so i am wondering is this still the same answer someone would get if they called today for help ? i am curious …. oh and we moved …. btw i know that its the animals land and we all built our houses on it … but when children are in danger what does it take really a bite, a gash … one more thing he also gave me a website that has a map on it with all of the coyote attacks in b.c. , so helpful.. not . I feel terrible for the family that had their dog taken from them and bad for all of the cats and dogs that are missing 
Leah Adrienne Blake
i hope everyone watching passes on the story and people learn to be more aware of wildlife, and I hope that Alainas heart can heal and she can find peace
Jennifer Pratt
now we wait to c what will be done… thank goodness it wasnt a child
Courtney Bertrand
Yes it could of been a child, and then would people do more?
Travis Nooski
That would look nice on my wall
Duane Burnett
I had invited The Vancouver Sun and CBC News to do a story on this, and sure enough, they did! 
Uploaded all the major media news stories, VIDEOS and links if you would like to check ‘em out
Penny Berdahl
Thats awesome Duane Burnett..See you are *OUR Ambassador** Of The Sunshine Coast…….You get the stories out to the public!! Thank you …for all the work you do!!
Marlene Toth
its especially nice for me who is allergic to everything including newspapers:)
David Barbarash
good work Duane!
Caitlin Hicks Way to go, Duane!
Bev Lindskog Blancard
I once asked my sister who worked at Global why things that happened on the Coast were never reported – she said “If nobody calls to tell us something is happening we have no way of knowing” – Well Duh – thanks for being our voice Duane Burnett!
Don Rheaume When is something going to do done ????
Penny Berdahl
I Heard tonight that the CO is heading out tomorrow to now kill as many Coyotes & their families as he can along the Chaster Creek area.
Jennifer Birch
I know something has to be done but it’s so sad that it has to come to this.
Liana Lamotte-Leskie
They shouldn’t just go in and randomly start killing coyotes. Why kill the animals, including young ones, who haven’t done any harm?
David Barbarash
it’s not a good thing when coyotes take small animals but they’re only being themselves, and miniature poodles are truly the abomination in the animal kingdom anyway. i do not support the killing of coyotes because they need to feed themselves. what a disgrace our society has become.
Robin Evans Casey
Can coyotes be relocated like they do to other wildlife? When you look at the big picture, us humans caused this so how can us humans help the situation?
Jennifer Birch
I agree Robin Evans Casey, I, too, was wondering about relocation. I just hope that killing them is not just a cheaper and easier solution than relocation. They don’t kill maliciously, they are just trying to survive but it is getting to be a dangerous situation. My heart goes out to those that have lost pets.
Caitlin Hicks
Yeah, it seems like the only solution Conservation ever has is to kill the animal. It’s just too easy.
David Barbarash
coyotes have more right to be here than we do. i know many more horrible humans than i do coyotes. at least coyotes kill for instinct and to survive, humans kill for fun and profit and because we’re crazy.
Jade Dancey
that is true about coyotes…but we also have to know that NOTHING except humans will kill a coyote and they will take over..i just dont agree with the picture…im waiting for the blood to come pouring out of his mouth
Robin Evans Casey But now a days that pic is a close resemblance of the way coyotes look cus of human interference;( People are the ones that are making all our wildlife change the way they have done things for years upon years! Wildlife as a whole are much more aggressive now then ever! You can’t hold these animals to what they used to do or how they used to hunt their prey, they’re desperate and will go to great lengths:( It’s sad!
Gerald Thibert
Went thru this 30 years ago and children were attacked and killed you have to kill the family the young ones learn from parents and where proberly watching in the bush my people cree nation have storeis for centrys of them trying to trick peiple into thinking they are friendly them snatching a baby and running off with it .
You have to kill all no choice !!!
Gerald Thibert
Or release your pets for food racoons are allmost gone
David Barbarash
point me to a story recorded in recent memory where a coyote has attacked or carried off a child. i’m curious because this line is beng bantered about as gospel yet i do not recall such a story in my lifetime.
Gerald Thibert
It was un alberta And banf and highwood country they allso teamed up with dogs Liveing your whole life here on the coast you may not of cause i believe they where traped out at one time
David Barbarash
show me some proof in a news story recent or archived that details a human killing by coyote please.
David Barbarash
oh are we resorting to insults now? is that how you like to put forward your arguments? it is in fact lazy people and those with unsubstantiated facts who resort to this kind of discussion. thank you for revealing yourself. to answer your post, of course i googled it, do you think i’m just blowing hot air? show me a story, i couldn’t find one. or do you just want to put out propaganda without documentation?
Gerald Thibert
My father was one of the ones that hunted and killed some of them and if there was no internet or reports on here i wouldent be surprised cause there was no computers then but to call me a lier is insulting and disrespectfull i now you and your believes anb i don’t agree with them but i ain’t calling you a lier
www.cbc.ca
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/10/28/ns-coyote-attack-died.html
Penny Berdahl
Gentleman…..I know this is a very heated topic…..& I apperciate everyone has their own opinions on the matter…..but we are all adults here….Sometimes …its best to agree….that we disagree. I do apperciate that everyone does have knowledge in different ways on the topic. Thanks
Gerald Thibert
Oh ya tylor mitchell forgot about that. Yes. Me and people who worship whitches never agree 
Meghan Graves
Co-Existing with Coyotes – Stanley Park Ecology Society
http://stanleyparkecology.ca/conservation/co-existing-with-coyotes/
Once they decide they aren’t comfortable there anymore they will move on. You can’t just ignore them, they will take that as permission to be there.Tatiana Allen
Gerald Thibert zip it before I let loose
David Barbarash
insults and derogatory comments, keep it up, display your bigotry for all to witness.
Tatiana Allen please..enough
Jennifer Birch
Meghan Graves, thanks for the link to a very interesting site. I hope everyone will read what they have to say. Very good advice!
David Barbarash
regarding the CBC story of the hiker who was killed, interesting to note the article reads: “Bob Bancroft, a retired biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, said this kind of attack is extremely rare…” and this is my point, coyotes killing people is so unusual and rare that does not justify a genocide against the species. that coyotes kill small animals is normal and natural. protect your pets if you don’t want them to be prey.
Penny Berdahl, how accurate is the information that the CO is off to kill these coyotes? Is it from a reliable source?
Watching KTLA news today they reported in Orange County, California that a coyote attacked and killed a little girl. ((((((someone just posted this on duane burnetts sunshine coast fb page ))))))))) it says COYOTE
))it was a dog in huntington beach
Ok on the subject of the Conservation Officer. I have been on the phone ALL DAY with the BC Environment Ministry. I have been yelled at and treated like a terrorist who wanted to meet the Queen. I still have not heard from the CO. I will report back when I have the info for you
when they did get back to me all those years ago, he said until your kids are injured by the coyote he could do nothing , and he gave a website that had a map of all the attacks in b.c. on it… i have lost that website, i would be curious to see it , so that people could look at it also and see that they dont just attack animals
i would love to see that too because i believe it would show how they do not attack people. i pay close attention to news and i simply don’t recall many, if any stories like that. like the biologist was quoted in that article i linked to, those instances are rare.
rare sucks though when its your kid
I read yesterday that a puppy was snatched while out for a walk with its owner behind Sechelt rec center….any truth to that?
wow- that must have been so devastating for the family. I think that is probably what happened to my Cleo.
they must be really desperate…..so sorry for the little dog and for Alaina…..you did what you could. so unexpected. What can we do towards prevention? why are the coyotes so hungry?
Thanks for sharing this news, very sad…we will keep our dachshund close.
I am so sorry for the owners of this little dog….we must be vigilant at all times… the coyotes are clever and hunt in packs…. i own big dogs but am always outside with them…. awww i am so sad for this little puppy…. how horrid, something they will never forget. when a cat goes missing around my home it is coyotes for sure…. or the big owl. Alaina, i send you a huge huge hug. what a fluke thing to happen right in your store…wow. you could not have prevented it, they had been watching you for a while i guess.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I am made to wonder, why?
I have notices an onslaught of wild animals in my acreage as of late. And I have to wonder. The more space we take from them (forestry) the more this will happen. It’s to be expected. And it saddens me greatly.
That is so sad. Nicky was the cutest little guy. What a horrible end to what was a beautiful life.
Sending hugs. What a tragic and shocking thing to have happen!
Wow very sorry that this happened
sending love and hugs to this dogs family ♥All canids look vicious when caught mid growl. I think given that poor darling Nicky ended up in those jaws, I would prefer a more normal looking coyote. This one is too graphic. My imagination can take over without this picture.
The coyotes were here first..they live every minute in ‘survival mode” Its very sad to lose a family pet to a wild animal but we do our best to avoid it happening and if it happens…it happens…hope this doesnt start a war against coyotes..the bears are suffering enough.
Michaud Fallis We’ve lived in this neighbourhood ( behind Carola’s) for 20 years now. There has been a tremendous population boom of coyotes over the past decade. Just ask anyone who lives in the Veterans road area — we hear and see the daily. We absolutely can not let our cats or small dogs out alone. I am so sad for the family. How absolutely devastating. Xoxo
that is so horrible…… and oh so devastating for the family… everyone must be very vigilant with their beloved dogs against these predators
we have a pack of at least 5 coyotes near IGA mall that are trying to lure my big German Shepherd away, they’ve already snatched all our cats right near the house, it is WAY time to do something about them! Also they are not starving-take a look at them, these coyotes are big & fat!
We’ve had quite a few coyotes here in Ladner lately too. I hear them fairly close by almost every evening. With the amount of rabbits we have that live loose in out neighborhood, It will just be a matter of time before they make it right into our neighborhood. My cats are strictly indoor cats for this reason. As much as they try to get outside, I won’t let them. I couldn’t bear if I were to lose them.
omg, what a horribly tragic and sad story……….my heart goes out to everyone involved………..
The tired old line that we are encroaching on their territory is complete hogwash (sorry, all you wonderful believers – I know you love animals – so do I…)
Here is the point: By allowing wildlife that has no or very little fear of humans to live and breed in populated areas, we are sitting on a ticking time bomb. The day WILL COME when these predators, including coyotes, bears and cougars, will begin to attack humans with impunity. The ONLY answer is to destroy them and take these few who have lost their natural fear out of the gene pool.
Doing this will keep wild animals safely wild and it keeps humans, especially children, safe.
Going back to the argument that we are encroaching or even living on “their” land, I must ask, just what percentage of land in our country do you think we use? Check it out before using this argument. Next time you fly over our province from south to north (as I have many times), look down from the plane and be amazed that you can often look as far as the eye can see in every direction without seeing any sign of human activity.
There is plenty of room for humans and wild animals without wild animals living in towns.
We shoot thos f**kers here in Maple Ridge. They got two of my cats grrrrrrr
I Think We All Forget One Big Thing Here! WE are living in THEIR TERRITORY! The Coyote was here before We were and the coytoe was only doing what comes natural to it!
Wolves are the natural enemy of coyotes but I’m not sure if wolves eat them. Coyotes will not want to be in any area where wolves would be.
Sorry. But this is what coyotes do. I can’t disagree with an animal hunting, and probably for it’s own young this time of year. Poodles or coyotes… I choose coyotes. It’s true folks, this happens at farms all the time. Small dogs are also easy prey for large birds.. sad for the young girl, but that’s how it goes sometimes.
My friend Cathrine Ann just told me “a puppy was just killed behind the Sechelt rec centre when a coyote snatched the pup up while it’s owner was taking it for a walk!!!!!!!!”
“”The coyotes are unfairly getting a bad reputation throughout the Sunshine Coast.
Across Canada, coyotes are living in urban and semi-urban communities. Yes, they will eat s…
Coyotes are quite shy and non-aggressive. They tend to scare easily and are often solitary animals, preferring to travel alone. They are small in size and an adult on average, weighs between 18 to 30 pounds.
Panic and hysteria surrounding coyotes is fueled by misinformation. Killing coyotes solves nothing. While killing coyotes may bring some temporary physiological relief to someone who lost their pet to a coyote, in the long-term, more coyotes will simply return to the area. As long as there is a food source (garbage, fallen fruit, outdoor pets and pet food) you will have coyotes in your area.
If the Sunshine Coast wants to crack down on coyotes, it first needs to crack down on local citizens who are intentionally or non-intentionally feeding these animals. Education, not killing, is key.
Municipalities including Vancouver have a city-wide coyote program to help manage people’s perceptions of coyotes. We even have a coyote hotline to report sightings and the data is collected to caution specific neighbourhoods during times of high coyote activity so people can take proper precautions.
We must guard against taking extremes. Locking up our pets and children or killing all the coyotes isn’t the answer. We can find a balance and the answer is co-existence.
Lesley Fox
Executive Director
The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals
Watching KTLA news today they reported in Orange County, California that a coyote attacked and killed a little girl.
So sorry for Carola, can only imagine the terorrfying images she is left with and the heart break. Time to cull those that are hanging out in towns before someone else looses their life or pet.
I still wonder what we can do though towards prevention! if coyotes are normally shy how can we restore some balance to nature so that they are not starving? much sorrow for the loss of the dog and the heartbreak for the young woman and family. You did what you could.
I remember talking to a lady in Gibson about a coyote grabbing her dog off the leash and ran off with it – HORRIBLE! I could not imagine the feeling because they are like family members :,( I heard recently that a lady heard howling in West Sechelt & it’s NOT like coyote howling or yelping …. Wolves now? She said deep howling like wolves…scary to have genetics crossing over into coyotes causing a bold, vicious breed :-/
do wolves and coyotes interbreed? wolves are not necessarily evil either….nor are bears or any wildlife…..they are running out of living space……..we need balance or we will see more of this…….it is a sad and painful reality…….can we do something to shift it?
Your welcome, they are usually a nocturnal hunter by nature, but more and more events of them an wolves attacking livestock during broad daylight are becoming common nature for them. There is a huge run on their population growth, and though I don’t condone hunting animals for sport. I do condone hunting for food. There has been a out cry in our to bring the population down a bit. These activities of unnatural behavior makes me understand why there is a growing need for Wildlife Control Certified People, for our ranchers to hire. I our area, we have only a few Conservation officers, covering a tremendously large area. Many times, when one calls the reporting hot line, it could take days before a CO get back to you. The RCMP, are often called to deal with bears and such, they are themselves overworked here, and do not have the appropriate training of needed equipment, to often deal with certain scenarios. I guess, the message here is more of a cautionary nature ( pardon the pun). We all need to be alert, be educated and especially educated your children to the do’s and don’t, when dealing with wildlife! Even deer Kill! Carrie Zadrazil, it’s not that there is not enough food, it’s the populous of the species to the areas which the territorialize. More animals, the more area needed.
Anywho..I feel very sad for this lady that lost her pet♥
Very sad day. Prayers and Hugs to the lady and her family. Xoxo
They have been domesticated, separated from the herd so to speak…that makes them appear weak so they are the prey of choice.
Animals in the wild don’t distinguish between house pets and prey, they do what they have to to survive.
I hope things work out for the residents with as little bloodshed as possible.
LINKS
Story by Duane Burnett
http://duaneburnett.com/
PHOTO courtesy Google Images
http://images.google.com/
zoe dance works
Warning for all small dog owners and everyone else for that matter: A coyote came into a populated store in Gibsons this morning and made off with a small dog.
Rosie Kelman
We had 2 coyotes at our busy shopping mall today. Customer came in told me about the poor small dog and that the brazen coyote came threw a open back door and grabbed the poor little dog. The coyotes are so hungry they will do anything for food. Very scary!
Condolences to Alaina and Carola; but some Coyote advice to those who are not aware: Coyotes do nothing alone!
Even though you may only see one, there are others from the ‘pack’ around.
The one you see may be conducting a reconnaissance or, in fact, is the ‘bait’.
If chased by an unafraid dog, the ‘bait’ Coyote’s exit strategy is to run and lead the unafraid dog into an awaiting ambush by the rest of the pack.
More often than not, game over!
Excellent point Brian, they are very clever pack animals.
Coyotes did not have a significant presence on the coast until recently. I have lived mainly on the coast since childhood in the early 70′s and they were rarely if ever seen. The howls from pack dens were not heard at all anywhere, yet they are now in many places. It is said by some locals that they showed up after the wide swath of the gas pipeline right-of-way was cleared between here and Squamish, allowing them passage from the mainland. The existing hydro line right-of way crossed much rougher terrain and ravines.
I first recall seeing them infrequently on the highway in the area of Elphinstone, perhaps in the late 80′s or thereabouts, but never with the high frequency we do now, especially this year. They now routinely run across the road in front of my car in broad daylight and I see them all over several times a week.
They are scavengers and aside from eating garbage and sadly some pets, I believe they have found prey on our rat population which boomed a few years ago on our garbage and open composts. but with all population explosions (our own included) resources are limited and trouble ensues thereafter.
Local governments should take heed with immediate and thorough study of coyote numbers, diet and denning locations, etc. Many on the coast know of dens in residential areas (Snodgrass Rd, Mcullough Rd, etc) Despite the increase in missing pets, there are not enough to account for the numbers of coyotes and cougars seen around.
Federal cuts to our conservation service have been drastic and unfortunately we may need to fund this locally since I doubt there is any longer the resource or science administration to perform it adequately through that department.. just ask your local conservation officer.
As a nature and animal lover, I unfortunately (and strongly) believe a strategic cull on local coyotes is overdue before their numbers explode further requiring a more drastic and less effective cull. Attacks on people commence when the packs get larger as they have in other parts of the country where they are responsible for deaths. I am also very concerned for the small children in our rural community. I have heard first hand accounts of a pack attempting to follow and circle teenage kids from a bus stop and so on.
Incidentally cougars prey on coyotes and I believe their populations are perhaps increasing and also being drawn into our communities by this potential prey.
Thanks so much Jay for your insights as a Sunshine Coaster. Really opens your eyes!
I lived in lower gibsons 3 years ago and me my 2 kids under 4 walked to the beach all of the time, we were followed by coyotes often. One day they followed us right to our house, i screamed and our neighbor came out with his baseball bat and chased them off, other times they would wait outside in our yard
so i called the conservation officer and told him the stories, he said ” i will not come out until someone has been attacked and is injured ” I am wondering if this has changed and if someone called today saying that their children are at risk of an attack would he say the same thing now? i am curious … in the end we moved … he also gave me the website address for all the areas that children and adults have been attacked which i thought was great … not …
I want to say how amazing this young woman is. From what i can see she is handling this with grace and i dont think i would be as poised as she has been in light of this tragedy. I hope she finds some peace with her new rescue pup. Hopefully something can be done soon to control this issue.
Are we to wait until a tragedy like the one that happened in Nova Scotia in 2009 where a young girl was attacked and killed by coyotes or other attacks that happened since? It’s only a matter of time until the coyotes go into an open door and snatch a toddler and run off.