Posted on 10/06/2005 12:18:57 PM PDT by billorites
A Northboro grandfather out for a hike yesterday tackled an attacking coyote to save his grandson's life.
The 76-year-old man was first attacked from behind by the wild animal and then put it in a choke hold when it lunged for his neck.
Police say Arthur Cole's bravery allowed his 4-year-old grandson to run to safety.
The boy then alerted family nearby. The boy told everyone ``a wolf'' got ``Grampy.''
Family members called 911 and they all descended upon the path along the Assabet River a quarter-mile away from the grandfather's home.
``We got there and found the guy on top of the animal,'' firefighter Jamie Desautels said. ``The guy basically saved his grandson.''
Firefighters used an animal snare to restrain the female coyote, which was still biting Cole, fire officials said.
``He stayed pretty calm; he did well,'' said Desautels. Police then killed the coyote.
``We basically choked the animal to death,'' Northboro Police Sgt. James Bruce said, adding they couldn't shoot the animal because Cole's arm was under the coyote's head.
The grandfather suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the 4:30 p.m. attack, according to police.
He was taken to Marlboro Hospital.
The dead coyote was taken to Tufts Veterinary School in Westboro for testing to determine whether it was rabid.
Cole, a lifelong Northboro resident and chairman of the town's trail committee, sustained about eight bites and needed some stitches, family members said.
``He is going to be fine,'' his son, Peter Cole, said.
``It was traumatic but we survived.''
I fully expect PETA to sue this man for all his worth.
Yes, they do that. I'll go out to see what the dog is carrying on about and see a coyote sitting or standing 50 yards away, if you wait long enough you'll see they're never alone. I've never had one be aggressive here, but I don't have any livestock either. Mostly I think they come around just to pi$$ off the dog......or to party with him, I don't know which.
The only good coyote is a dead coyote,
Good for Grandpa. I couldn't imigaine the pain I would feel if one of mny kids was attacked. My best little pal Oscar (Yorkie) was killed in our yard a couple years ago by one of these bastards. Broke our hearts.
Here in Maine I have seen them live and dead, quite a few actually. Some call them coyote, some call them grey wolf. As I understand they are canis lupus otherwise known as timber wolf. They are impressively large. I have seen some trapped in the winter hanging up with beautiful thick winter coats looking like large german shepherds with huge fangs. I have no desire to be in their territory unless properly armed. But I don't like to be anywhere unless properly armed, so not much difference.
I suppose people prefer to think of them as coyotes, relatively harmless.
? FRiend Canis Lupus IS a wolf and a totally different critter from a coyote.
I haven't seen them but I have heard that there are coyotes in Houston. We never hear them howl. I have heard them in south Texas so I know what they sound like. Someone suggested that city coyotes do not howl but that doesn't make sense. What do you think?
LOL. True story. West side of Fort Worth Texas about 3 years ago, on railroad land next to Benbrook. Friend and I drinking beer and having a good time. Train comes through and blows the whistle, coyotes went off like sirens all around, they were everywhere......
Here here. Same with me. But you do what you have to do. I WISH it had been a tetnus shot.
"Someone suggested that city coyotes do not howl but that doesn't make sense. What do you think?"
I think you probably go to bed early!
Maybe those Ft Worth coyotes were just in from west Texas and hadn't learned the rules yet. LOL
They are in Anchorage Alaska as well. Big pack of 'em runs out by the air base and Fort.
No trouble here since I got my 24X scope for the 223 - can hit 'em a bit further out.
That's one heck of a studder, Crush......
I agree. I like to bring along by trusty Ruger .357 revolver. I also like to hike in New England, but I am never quite sure when that (being armed) is permitted and when it is prohibited.
Do you know of any online resources?
I don't know...you must have quiet coyotes!
I live way out in the country and they start in at sunset and quiet down just before sunrise.
Standing in the field, I hear one pack start in and before long, It sounds like I am totally surrounded.
Bought this place in '94' and had just a few coyotes. Now its lousy with them.
People drop their animals off here and we have had 30 -35 dogs come and go and hundreds of cats.
When I kept 4 or 5 dogs around I ended up with 113 cats. Then I got rid of all the dogs but 1. Now I have 14 cats.
Bobcats are increasing as well.
Plan on thinning coyotes out starting this weekend.
I think that's nonsense. City coyotes howl and so do suburban coyotes.
Nope!
In San Diego County - they have a terrible problem with them. The enviro-whackos have sued to keep the hunters from killing them and thinning out the herd.
I don't know if those rules were changed, but suddenly people living in homes which surrounded the wild life areas were having coyotes who came into back yards and began attack animals and children. Also .. a lot of people on hikes have also been attacked by coyotes and mountain lions.
Maybe if enough liberals get attacked - those rules on killing these animals will change.
Thanks, CyberAnt. I got quite an education on this situation on this thread.
Yup, I know that. Locals insist they are grey wolves, and a grey wolf is Canis Lupus, timber wolf. They look like wolves to me and not the scrawny things I encountered out west over the years. Out west I would never worry even when surrounded. Here, I am real careful with these critters. Maybe there is something PC about not calling them what they are.
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