Mike: I sent you this link about a pack of coyotes that attacked a horse here in Michigan. Kinda makes me think about all those times I’ve headed out of the woods after dark and heard more than one coyote howling, knowing they were chasing something…–Steve
It’s a fact that growing populations of coyotes kill a lot of fawns and, to a lesser degree drag down some adult deer. The predators kill and eat newborn calves, chickens and even cats and small dogs. But kill a 1,000-pound horse? I’ve never heard of that before.
According to the mlive.com story initial reports from law enforcement said: “Unfortunately they (multiple coyotes) ganged up on this mare and drug her down from the back…We just need to get out to the community there is a danger right now… It could have been a kid or adult.”
Since the story broke last Sunday, there has been growing hysteria, and doubt, in the area. Some residents say they are spotting more and coyotes, which are becoming increasingly aggressive, even in daylight hours (this attack supposedly occurred at 3 p.m. last Sunday). Also, some folks say that the coyotes in the area have grown noticeably bigger, perhaps coyote-wolf crosses that have moved down from Canada.
But now, skeptics are speaking out.
One of more than 300 locals that commented to the original mlive.com said: “If this attack had really happened, we’d have evidence such as bite patterns/marks and other forensic data. Or are we to believe the coyotes ate the whole horse? Nothing in this article points to any real evidence. All this article is meant to do is insight (sic) more uproar against wolves and coyotes.”
And from this dailytribune.com story posted 2 days after the attack: “No cases of coyote attacks on humans or horses have ever been documented in Michigan, said Tim Payne, the DNR’s southeast regional wildlife supervisor. ‘We’re looking to see whether it was a (pack) of coyotes that actually took down a horse, because that is highly unlikely and not documented. We’re also looking to inform people that everything we know about coyote behavior tells us people do not need to fear for their safety if there are coyotes in their neighborhood.’”
Payne went on to say that initial reports indicate no one witnessed coyotes attack the horse. He said an examination of the animal’s body would shed light on what kind of predator attacked it, but the horse has already been buried.
I wonder about this one. Do you think coyotes could drag down and kill a horse?
A pack of about 5 or 6 coyotes took down the full-size horse.
OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. –
An attack by coyotes has killed a 20-year-old horse from the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department mounted division.
The attack took place about 3 p.m. Sunday at a farm in Oxford Township, which is along the line between Lapeer and Oakland counties.
Lt. Bruce Osmon, head of the mounted unit, says the horse was feeding about 20 feet from a barn and 70 feet from a home at the time. A group of 5 or 6 coyotes attacked the horse while it was eating. The horse, named K.O. Carmen, was brought to the ground.
Osmon says the attack was “pretty aggressive,” given the close proximity of the home. Sheriff’s officials from Lapeer and Oakland counties responded along with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Lapeer County Mounted Division Deputy Dr. Bruce Meyers and his wife, Kelly Meyers, own the horse. The couple’s dogs — Labrador mixes — engaged with the coyotes and eventually chased them away. The horse later died from its injuries.
“It looks like (the coyotes) had latched onto her back-end, but you can see they pulled all her tail hairs out. We’re talking in a matter of less than a minute. That’s when the boys heard the commotion and let the dogs out,” said Kelly Meyers.
Meyers said one of her five dogs was bitten by the coyotes.
“He has multiple punctures on the head and the back legs,” she said.
The Sheriff’s Department says K.O. Carmen was described as being in athletic condition.
Oxford Township is considered part of Oakland County, which is why the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation into this deadly coyote attack. The DNR also is investigating
^^^^^
Thats one of the stories I heard about the attack on the horse. I’m sure most people are envisioning the horse being dragged to the ground and being eaten. But the story says the horse died as a result of its injuries. Whether that’s how it happened, I don’t know.
A colt maybe, but a full grown horse in good health, not likely. Maybe the horse was already down to an injury or ailment and the coyotes came in after it was already down. If nobody witnessed the attack, then nobody knows. I can see coyotes polishing off a wounded or sick horse that was already on the ground. And I can certainly believe that they would take advantage of a dead horse as a food source, especially in the winter.
I have hunted for over 40 years in the Midwest and am not afraid to admit that they have put a scare in me a few times coming into and out of the woods in the dark.
Once I saw a coyote drag a Unicorn down by it’s wing and then eat the whole thing by itself in a matter of minutes… Lol I think that this is highly unlikely, unless the mare was super sick and already on the ground when they attacked her or something. Wolves have a hard time taking an animal this big down, and they are a lot bigger and smarter than coyotes.
I live in an area with lots of coyotes and have for years. Think they can pull down deer, but a horse? I don’t think so, something weird