Coyote family moves into Calgary yard

A family of coyotes has moved under the deck of a Calgary woman's home.

City bylaw services trapped and removed the female and four pups from Wendy Watson's yard in Lake Bonavista near Fish Creek Park, but the male and two more pups remain.

Watson, who has a young cocker spaniel, says it was only by chance the little dog wasn't killed.

"It's very emotional, it's draining and you're afraid for your animals," she said. "I know we've been told a million times that they won't attack a human, but it's not comfortable."

Watson says removing or driving the animals away from her yard won't solve the growing coyote problem in many parts of Calgary.

Urban coyotes can be found in other large Canadian cities, such as Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver.

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In Calgary it's common to spot coyotes in parks, on golf course land, and along river valleys, according to the province. Small dogs and cats are the same size as a coyote's natural prey, putting them at risk.

Experts say the best policy is one of co-existence, and warn never to feed the animals.