Dog Snatched By Coyotes In The Greater Portland Area

You might not think that there would be coyotes roaming in the Greater Portland area. But local police are saying that a couple of them recently snatched a small dog in Scarborough.

According to Channel 8 WMTW, police are warning the public about coyotes in the area following the incident, which happened on Horseshoe Drive in Scarborough last week.

The dog, described as a pug, hasn't been seen since, the news station reported.

In a post to their Facebook page, the Scarborough Police Department say that coyotes have always been in Scarborough. But as the town becomes more built up, run-ins with wild animals could become more common.

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, there are about 12,000 coyotes in the state of Maine. And despite efforts to eliminate them, they've maintained their numbers.

Police say that in light of this latest incident, you shouldn't let your cats or small dogs out alone after dark, and keep them on leashes if possible. If you happen to encounter one, do not try to chase it, but don't run away, either. Stand your ground, yell, and wave your arms.