Video shows coyote crossing West Seattle street 'unfazed'

Two West Seattle residents are warning others to be on alert after a coyote was spotted roaming the neighborhood in broad daylight Thursday. 

A neighbor in the area of SW Rose St. and 39th Ave. SW captured cell phone video of the coyote crossing the street in that busy neighborhood.

What they're saying:

"This is Fleur," said Daren Kerchinske, introducing the FOX 13 crews to one of his dogs. "Can’t have you getting scooped up by a coyote, can we?"

Daren and Rose Kerchinske say they never thought they'd have to worry about their dogs and young son Julian encountering a coyote in their neighborhood.  The family is pictured below. 

However, that changed on Thursday when Rose captured video of a coyote, looking completely at home, crossing southwest Rose Street and 39th Ave, even passing another neighbor out walking his dog.  

"I looked out the window, and it was walking right down the street," said Rose. "It was just strutting down the street, totally unfazed."

"Using the sidewalk like a good citizen," said Daren.  

Sightings have been reported across the metro.  Another coyote was recently caught running right through downtown Kirkland. 

Why you should care:

In Key Peninsula, Louise White says her dog Fiona is lucky to be alive after an attack in late December. 

"Here is one of the scars that she has from the bite," said Louise White, pointing to a spot on her dog's neck. 

Fiona is pictured resting below, healing from her injuries. 

"She’s very scrappy, you know. Even though she’s a little dog, and she looks really, really sweet, when confronted with something that’s life-threatening, she can be really mean. That came in really handy this time," said White. 

She says while the dog was going to the bathroom, she heard growling and Fiona disappeared under a bush. White ran towards the sound of the struggle. 

"When I got to her, she was standing on the steps of my neighbor’s house just covered in blood and dirt," she said. 

A neighbor started an online fundraiser for Fiona's surgery and vet bills, which reached around $25,000.  As a rescue dog, she's tempted fate twice now.  

"She actually came from a dog meat slaughterhouse in South Korea, so she’s been a potential meal ticket for a couple of beings now," said White. 

In the location where the coyote was spotted in West Seattle on Thursday, dog walkers Pat and Judy noted that the rabbit population has dropped recently. 

"I’ve noticed now we don’t see a lot anymore, and it definitely could be a coyote," said Judy Jensen, a resident in West Seattle.

"When I see a lost cat sign I just assume it’s a raccoon or a coyote," said Pat Shaffer, a resident in West Seattle.

The Kerchinske's plan to become more vigilant. 

"Between the coyotes and the eagles, we have to make sure the little ones are protected out there," said Daren. 

The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (DNR) recommends that people keep dogs and cats inside, especially at night.  Officials say you should also secure any livestock, and don't leave small children unattended.  

The Source: Information for this article comes from original interviews by FOX 13 Seattle and representatives with WDFW.

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