Rise in coyote sightings have Alexander Co. neighbors on edge

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — Some residents in Alexander County are scared for their pet's lives after several coyote sightings in the past few weeks.

Channel 9 spoke to a woman who said she spotted a pair of coyotes Thursday morning, and neighbors have reported the animals roaming in packs, looking for food.

One woman even set up a wildlife camera behind her home in Battle Creek, where she said you can clearly see a coyote off her deck.

Down the street, other neighbors are keeping rifles and other firearms nearby because of the animals. One man told Channel 9 that he had to shoot and kill a coyote that was trying to attack his dog.

Another dog owner said she does not let her pets out at night anymore after witnessing a coyote attack it.

“At night I have to go with,” she said. “The coyote almost got him several times. I screamed, the coyote looked at me, and ran.”

North Carolina Wildlife officials told Channel 9 that a coyote attacking a person is very unlikely. They did say that a person could shoot and kill a coyote on their property if it is becoming a nuisance.

"I shot at four coyotes and got one of them," resident Gerald Scarborough said.

He mounted the one as proof after a pack of coyotes tried to attack his dog and a neighbor's newborn calf.

He believes there are dozens of others nearby.

"Them sneaking suckers, I swear,” Scarborough said. “They'll be coming out here pretty shortly and running around across these pastures, but most of the time their night predators."

Eyewitness News reported last week about coyote problems in Tega Cay, South Carolina, where trappers are being paid to place and check traps every day for two weeks.

[READ MORE: Tega Cay addresses coyote nuisance]

At last check, four coyotes have been caught and euthanized so far.

Neighbors told Channel 9 that the animals have attacked their pets and killed several cats.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Arrest made after man hit, killed by truck on I-85 following argument
• Teenager charged with killing his father in Kings Mountain
• CMPD: Man kidnapped girlfriend, fired shots into north Charlotte home
• Police chief: Body found behind rehab center may have been there for 2 years
• Action 9: Honda customers with paint problems could be covered by dealer

Cox Media Group