Watertown sighting

This was a comment on the last post, but here it is again: A pretty colorful recent sighting in Watertown:

"My girlfriend and I were driving home to Newton tonight -- when we saw a Coyote running wild through the streets of Watertown (right off of Galen Street behind Vows Bridal Outlet). It looked just like the "Eastern Coyote" -- and was very energetic and wild -- running down the street and then darting into people's front lawns and then jumping back out into the street. Quite a sight to see!"

Watch out in Newton, Mitt---Perry shoots coyotes

Rick Perry may have a new secret weapon in his arsenal for next year's Massachusetts Republican Primary: his skill at shooting coyotes.

In an interview this week in Parade Magazine, Perry confirms his 2010 claim that he shot a coyote that was menacing his puppy during a run near Austin. Perry reportedly used his .380 Ruger, loaded with hollow-point bullets, which he carries on runs for protection from snakes.

If the recent local uproar over coyote-pet incidents continues much longer, Perry may have coyotes (and his success at... intervening) to thank for an unexpectedly strong Primary showing in Newton and nearby coyote-ridden towns.

Good coyote, bad coyote

Newton's apparently seen a recent uptick in coyote and fox encounters---so much so that the sign at right (via Newton Patch, photo by Charlie Breitrose) was posted at a Newton intersection earlier this week.

According to the accompanying Patch article, local reaction's been... SOP for cases of coyote/human/pet contact. Pets have been killed, residents are concerned.

The story does however offer some useful canine profiling:

Good (normal) Coyote: attacks and kills smaller animals, aka cats & little dogs.

Bad (potentially rabid) Coyote: follows humans home.

Here, again, is the full Newton Patch story.