Looks like a coy-dog - - half coyote, half domestic dog. We have them here which is why we keep all of our 32 cats inside. Coy-dogs are out during the daytime as well as night and they aren’t as timid as coyotes. We lost a few cats and decided enough is enough.
Farmers here with livestock hate them with a passion.
There’s a wasting disease that’s taken out a lot of them the past few years and that one looks like it has it.
How do you round up 32 cats every evening? I only have 7 and wouldn’t even attempt it. They have two good barns and a heated shop with cat doors and secret passages. There is a third barn with a feed room that is a ripe hunting ground for my big black tom but he is sleeping here on the desk right now.
I think you’re right. It looks like a coy dog.
Yup, looks like a coyote hybrid. Genetic testing won’t mean all that much and the animal will be euthanized.
Most of what people call Eastern Coyotes are hybrids of coyote, wolf, and domestic dogs. And they can range in collars from what is pictured here to the very dark wolf colors. I had two in the backyard the other night. First one that came up to the feeder scared the heck out of me, I thought it was an actual wolf. The second one was smaller and much more coyote looking. Got a picture of the second one, but was too startled to get the first. Both reported to authorities as they were not fearful.
Why the eastern coyote should be a separate species: the ‘coywolf’ https://theconversation.com/why-the-eastern-coyote-should-be-a-separate-species-the-coywolf-59214
Coyotes on the western side of the Mississippi are more pure and smaller.
Coy-dog or Coy-wolf, but you are most likely correct.
We have them hear too. Snapped a pic of one last week and posted it on my photography state FBpage. People responded were shocked at the size.
I have been here 20 years and these hybrids are moving in the direction of larger and less fearful. Local authorities are trying to downplay such a large predator in our city-park system, but people are uncomfortable.
We’re moving into breeding season for them, so they will be on the move. Plus weather has been harsh the last several weeks so they are scavenging too.