Maybe a first

[Egon]

Within my limited horizon I can recall coyote attacks on small children in Jasper Alberta some years ago.

There was another instance of what was beleived to be a man killed by wolves in Saskatchewan??? a few years ago.

When hiking Bears are the animal that really concern me.

Carring a gun may be nice but will one have it when needed and with a bear will it be of adaquate stopping force and still be packable over distances by smaller persons.

[keegs]

What a terrible thing to happen to someone. A warning shot from a firearm might have saved her I'd imagine.

Humans are killed by bees, spiders, snakes, sharks, aligators, domestic pets....every year.

[MossRoad]

I wonder if pepper spray would work well on coyotes? It works for dogs when bike riding. Bear spray is just strong pepper spray. Perhaps people should be encouraged to carry it when hiking.

Anyhow, sad story for the woman and her family.

[NSBound]

Originally Posted by MossRoad

I wonder if pepper spray would work well on coyotes? It works for dogs when bike riding. Bear spray is just strong pepper spray. Perhaps people should be encouraged to carry it when hiking.

Anyhow, sad story for the woman and her family.

You're right on with the bear spray, Moss - all my nighbours who go for walks out here in the country always carry bear spray with them. Bears are routinely seen along my road and in the neighbouring fields, especially in late summer when all the berries are ripe.

[weldingisfun]

I guess when you live in a Country that denies it's citizens the means to protect themselves from man and beast, you have to be innovative. On the other hand, you could lock yourself inside your home and never venture outside. Sad situation all around.

[jinman]

How incredibly sad for Taylor and her family. This young girl probably went for a walk alone and was thinking of the beauty of her surroundings, never dreaming of the danger. Surely she was not prepared to defend her life. She probably never grew up having instruction about wild animals or how to defend oneself. In a sudden instant, the terror must have been overwhelming. How would any young girl who is a musical artist respond?

I don't know what the complete solution is, but in this instance the reaction will surely include hunting down any wild coyote that is seen in the area and more restrictions on hikers. Perhaps training is the best solution. The low number of instances isn't enough to justify detailed training in our schools. I would suggest that there will be more stories like this and we will always be saddened and disheartened by the outcome. I know my heart goes out to her family and friends who must now be second-guessing themselves and asking what they could have done to prevent this. I don't think we can ever be 100% prepared during 100% of the time, and we can never remove 100% of the threat.

[SLOBuds]

It was a curious report to me also. I have read no stories of that area being drought or sever changes in animal populations, thus causing starvation among the different species.

I'm not an expert whatsoever, but my whole life I have consitently read that animal attacks are near-always caused by those who are sick, or those who believe they (or their offspring) are in danger, or possibly because of desperate starvation. It just seemed to me after reading these evaluations pretty consistently that animals tend to avoid humans.

So yes, it's a curious report. And going with what I've heard before, I assumed these were sick animals. But might be something else too. Not sure we'll ever know.

[Thomas]

Sad indeed.

When wildlife attacks odds very seldom in humans favor out come...happen to the other person not me,you are the other person in anothers eye.

[MossRoad]

Originally Posted by NSBound

You're right on with the bear spray, Moss - all my nighbours who go for walks out here in the country always carry bear spray with them. Bears are routinely seen along my road and in the neighbouring fields, especially in late summer when all the berries are ripe.

Funny thing is, living in the city, everyone carries pepper spray on their walks, too... only it isn't for the coyotes!

[MossRoad]

Originally Posted by jinman

... The low number of instances isn't enough to justify detailed training in our schools. ...

You now what's weird? My daughters can tell you how to deter bear attacks and mountain lion attacks and such and we live in South Bend, Indiana!

T.V. must be good for something?