Coyotes in the Basement (Possibly Disturbing Image)
We had some excitement at the ranch a couple days ago. I wasn't here but Tom writes about excitement at the ranch.
9/22 - Puppies arrive and discover their new quarters. By day the puppy paddock, by night the dog room has been divided into a puppy area and an adult area. The adults have access to the outer ring which we always thought, but never tested, a good way to protect puppies from ground borne predators.
9/23 (9pm) - I hear a pack of coyotes doing the hunt call. A little while later (11pm) the K-Boyz, Kiev and Kazan (the two on puppy guard duty) go berserk. I hit the back pasture with the spotlight and I see a coyote moving off to the east. Not moving very fast and stopping to turn and look I decided that it needed more incentive. I went out back and released the K-Boyz. They dashed at full speed to the east and I figured they had a good run and that Mr. Coyote would not return.
9/24 (4am) - I am awaken by sounds of dogs fighting. I stagger out of bed, grab the spotlight and hit the back paddock with the light. I see nothing. I have the puppies indoors in their puppy area so I believe I know where they are. There is a terrible commotion in the enclosed area under the kitchen balcony. This is the area we arranged so that the basement hounds could enter a leave the basement. I was afraid that somehow one of the K-Boyz got trapped in there and was struggling to get free or that Kiev and Kazan decided to have a "to death" fight or worse yet a puppy got into the adult area and for some reason the adults thought it prey. I dashed downstairs with the spotlight, check the babies - whew they are safe and secure. I dash to the dog door and they are still going at it. I stick my head through the dog door and there trapped in the corner was Mr Coyote. I dashed back upstairs as I was unarmed. I armed myself and went back to the scene, which was getting bloodier. I took aim and ended the fight. Kiev grabbed the coyote, ran out of the enclosure, did the kill shake and he was satisfied that his job was done. Kazan stood over the carcass making sure that the job was finished. I got a bowl of water and betadine and cleaned the blood off of both hounds and looking for wounds. I found a slight nick on Kiev's muzzle and cleaned it thoroughly. Kazan looks like he came through unscathed.
KC writes: Tom spoke with the El Paso County Wildlife folks later on the 24th. There's no rabies in the area so they weren't concerned. Neither was the sheriff's office. Why the coyote decided to come into the basement is a mystery. After food? After the tender little puppies that had arrived a few days before? The coyote looks well fed and in good condition. It came into the paddock area voluntarily, although the scent of borzoi has to be everywhere, so obviously, it wasn't the smartest coyote in the world. Bottom line, Tom and I are relieved that we have a "moat" around the puppies paddock and sleeping area, occupied by two protective adults. Good job for Dad and Uncle for keeping the puppies safe. Here's a picture of the coyote.
9/22 - Puppies arrive and discover their new quarters. By day the puppy paddock, by night the dog room has been divided into a puppy area and an adult area. The adults have access to the outer ring which we always thought, but never tested, a good way to protect puppies from ground borne predators.
Here are Monte Carlo (red) and Tulane (black) sleeping in the puppy paddock.
9/23 (9pm) - I hear a pack of coyotes doing the hunt call. A little while later (11pm) the K-Boyz, Kiev and Kazan (the two on puppy guard duty) go berserk. I hit the back pasture with the spotlight and I see a coyote moving off to the east. Not moving very fast and stopping to turn and look I decided that it needed more incentive. I went out back and released the K-Boyz. They dashed at full speed to the east and I figured they had a good run and that Mr. Coyote would not return.
9/24 (4am) - I am awaken by sounds of dogs fighting. I stagger out of bed, grab the spotlight and hit the back paddock with the light. I see nothing. I have the puppies indoors in their puppy area so I believe I know where they are. There is a terrible commotion in the enclosed area under the kitchen balcony. This is the area we arranged so that the basement hounds could enter a leave the basement. I was afraid that somehow one of the K-Boyz got trapped in there and was struggling to get free or that Kiev and Kazan decided to have a "to death" fight or worse yet a puppy got into the adult area and for some reason the adults thought it prey. I dashed downstairs with the spotlight, check the babies - whew they are safe and secure. I dash to the dog door and they are still going at it. I stick my head through the dog door and there trapped in the corner was Mr Coyote. I dashed back upstairs as I was unarmed. I armed myself and went back to the scene, which was getting bloodier. I took aim and ended the fight. Kiev grabbed the coyote, ran out of the enclosure, did the kill shake and he was satisfied that his job was done. Kazan stood over the carcass making sure that the job was finished. I got a bowl of water and betadine and cleaned the blood off of both hounds and looking for wounds. I found a slight nick on Kiev's muzzle and cleaned it thoroughly. Kazan looks like he came through unscathed.
KC writes: Tom spoke with the El Paso County Wildlife folks later on the 24th. There's no rabies in the area so they weren't concerned. Neither was the sheriff's office. Why the coyote decided to come into the basement is a mystery. After food? After the tender little puppies that had arrived a few days before? The coyote looks well fed and in good condition. It came into the paddock area voluntarily, although the scent of borzoi has to be everywhere, so obviously, it wasn't the smartest coyote in the world. Bottom line, Tom and I are relieved that we have a "moat" around the puppies paddock and sleeping area, occupied by two protective adults. Good job for Dad and Uncle for keeping the puppies safe. Here's a picture of the coyote.
Here's foolish Mr. Coyote.
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