Coyote enters house through doggie door and kills one dog

LOS ANGELES — Buena Park officials are warning residents to be prepared for coyote encounters after a bold predator recently entered a home through a doggie door and attacked two dogs, killing one in what officials called an “unprecedented” attack.

Noting an increase in coyote reports and sightings, the city of Buena Park issued a release Tuesday asking residents to take preventive steps. The area has experienced coyote activity for several years, including sightings and attacks on pets, and those encounters tend to increase in the spring and summer, officials said.

The warning comes after Scott Goodling of Buena Park told KABCTV that he came home from work Friday night to find the aftermath of a coyote attack in his kitchen after the animal apparently came into his home through a doggie door.

“There was blood all over the floor,” Goodling told the station.

Sally, a 10-year-old Maltipoo, was killed in the attack. Another dog named Murphy survived, although his injuries required more than $2,200 in surgeries, the station reported. Goodling told KCAL-TV that the incident was the second time Murphy had been attacked by a coyote.

Surveillance video from Goodling’s neighbor showed a pack of coyotes gathering in the street outside his home around the time of the attack, KABCTV reported.

Although incidents of coyotes attacking pets are not uncommon in Southern California, Buena Park Assistant City Manager Aaron France told KABC it was unprecedented for a coyote to boldly enter a residence through a pet door. He warned residents to take precautions against attracting coyotes into their space.