ONLY ON ABC-7: Dog attacked by coyote

Scary moments for a dog and his owner after the dog was snatched from his backyard by a coyote.

But the dog is safe at home — and is staying indoors a lot more often.

When he isn’t inside, Spanky, a 5-pound Chihuahua mix, is safely secured at the end of a leash in his own backyard.

“It’s too bad. This was his favorite spot,” said Spanky’s owner, David Andrews, gesturing to the yard.

Andrews said the leash and supervised backyard visits are necessary measures after a coyote jumped the wall and grabbed Spanky.

Andrews said his friend was in the backyard in the northern Sonoma Ranch area, and witnessed the incident.

“He heard the tree rustle, then he saw the coyote grab the dog and jump over the wall,” said Andrews. “He ran to the wall, and the coyote had stopped on the other side and was shaking him and chewing him.”

Andrews credits his friend for yelling and startling the coyote, causing it to drop the 4-year-old dog.

“We’ve seen coyotes running across in the street. But I just never dreamt that a coyote would jump this wall,” said Andrews.

The wall is only 4-foot high inside the property, but is about 2 feet taller outside the property.

Andrews said he is sharing his story because he wants his neighbors to be aware and keep their eyes on their own pets, too.

“You can hear (the coyotes) loud, about 2 or 3 a.m. There is a big pack out there,” Andrews said.

Spanky, rescued from the shelter in Las Cruces just four months ago, was saved once again.

“It’s a miracle we got him back,” said Andrews. “It really is.”