An animal control officer in a Massachusetts town fatally shot a pet dog, mistaking it for a coyote in an unfortunate incident that has left the dog’s owner outraged. Local police have labeled the event as a regrettable error.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when authorities received a report of a coyote spotted in a residential backyard, according to Timothy Labrie, the chief of police in Northbridge, Massachusetts. The animal control officer ventured into the nearby woods in search of the coyote and encountered what was believed to be the animal in a supposedly threatening stance, prompting them to shoot.
Afterwards, the officer realized the animal had a flea collar, confirming it was a domestic dog rather than a coyote. The police subsequently located the dog’s owner to inform them of the tragic circumstance.
The owner, Kirk Rumford, identified the dog as Odin, a husky that was less than a year old. Rumford expressed that non-lethal options could have been employed to handle the situation, asserting that his dog did not resemble a coyote.
“My dog would have been the most beautiful coyote ever, on steroids,” Rumford remarked. “He’s enormous compared to a coyote. Just look at photos of coyotes from Massachusetts alongside my dog; there’s no comparison. Odin resembled a wolf more than anything, and wolves aren’t found in Massachusetts.”
Rumford stated that he has received significant support from the local community and hopes that his experience will help minimize similar incidents in the future. He described Odin as “a knucklehead” and “a lovable klutz” known for his playful demeanor and friendly nature with other dogs.
Labrie mentioned that the animal control officer’s mistake, while regrettable, was understandable and confirmed that no disciplinary action would be taken against the officer. He emphasized that dog owners could mitigate such incidents by keeping their pets secured.
“We have leash laws in place,” Labrie explained. “To prevent these occurrences, it’s vital you keep your yard secure and supervise your dog. If your dog is prone to wandering, having identification tags is critical.”
The shooting comes amid reports of increasing encounters between residents and coyotes throughout Massachusetts and other regions. Notably, the town of Nahant has taken steps to become the first in the state to contract with federal authorities for coyote culling due to concerns over pets being killed and the animals becoming a significant nuisance.
Experts have indicated that coyotes in the Eastern United States are displaying more wolf-like characteristics as they establish themselves as apex predators. Controlling their population has proven difficult.
A recent study led by Remington Moll, an assistant professor of natural resources at the University of New Hampshire, published in Ecography, addressed the complexities of coyote populations. The findings suggested that hunting may not effectively reduce their numbers, and could even lead to increased populations.
“Massive removal efforts can reduce the number of coyotes temporarily, but they often result in younger populations that reproduce more quickly and migrate into the area,” Moll stated.
In Northbridge, a community with approximately 16,000 residents located about 43 miles west of Boston, encounters between people and coyotes have been on the rise, Labrie noted. The animal control officer involved in the shooting was a seasoned professional with extensive experience handling such animals.
“We have certainly noticed an increase in coyote-related calls,” Labrie acknowledged. “The exact reasons for this trend remain unclear.”