Bloomington police warn of increased coyote activity after pet killings

Bloomington residents have been warned of a possible serial pet killer at large. The suspect: a coyote not afraid to hop fences or snatch small dogs a mere few feet from owners who watch helplessly as their pets are carried away.

Because of the city's proximity to the Minnesota River Valley, coyote sightings aren't uncommon in Bloomington, Deputy Police Chief Mike Hartley said. But after attacks on six dogs — five of them fatal — in southwest Bloomington since July 28, police alerted residents on Friday.

This summer's attacks have all come within a 5-mile stretch south of Old Shakopee Road and north of the Minnesota River Valley, according to a map provided by Bloomington police. The department also noted a February attack that killed a dog.

One resident posted a flier informing neighbors that their dog was snatched by a coyote after dusk on July 28 and urged them to "Please be careful when walking or letting out your four-legged friends!!!"

Because of the proximity of the attacks and that each involved a lone coyote, Hartley said officials suspect there is one culprit, an "old coyote that thinks it can get an easy meal in an urban environment."

"There's no real easy solution, especially in an urban environment," Hartley said.

Police sent warning letters to residents in April 2014 after noting an increased coyote presence in some neighborhoods. The department's latest notice said the animals have been spotted both during daytime and evening hours.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, coyotes are found across the state, and populations have been on the rise in the metro area in recent years. But the latest string of attacks on dogs is out of the norm, Hartley said.

Bloomington police aimed Friday's alert at residents with small- to medium-sized dogs and cats, suggesting they stay near their pets at all times when letting them outside. If a coyote is seen, police recommend "hazing" them by yelling or making loud noises to scare them off.

"Don't let that coyote get comfortable in your environment," Hartley said. "You want that coyote thinking, 'Boy, that wasn't a good experience. I think I'll go back to the river bottoms where I should be.' "

Hartley said the department is talking to wildlife experts on what to do next and hopes to have a plan by early next week. Plans being discussed include live trapping or deploying snipers, he said.

"The days of just checking [on pets outside] every half-hour are probably done," he said.

Stephen Montemayor • 952-746-3282