Dog Vs 11 Coyotes Video - Dog Lovers Hub

Table of Contents

Introduction

In December 2022, a dramatic video went viral showing a dog named Casper fighting off 11 coyotes in a suburban neighborhood in California. The video depicts Casper, a large white German shepherd dog, being walked by his owner on a residential street when a large pack of coyotes suddenly surround them. The coyotes encircle Casper and his owner, lunging towards the dog aggressively. What ensues is an intense standoff as Casper snarls, barks, and lunges back at the coyotes, keeping them at bay and protecting his owner. Casper manages to fend off the entire pack despite being drastically outnumbered. His bravery and protectiveness in the face of danger captivated viewers around the world.

The incident occurred in the late evening in a neighborhood in Norco, California. Casper and his owner were out for a routine walk when the pack of coyotes emerged and orchestrated an ambush attack. The coyotes likely targeted Casper either out of predatory instinct or to eliminate him as a threat to their territory. However, they clearly underestimated the protective abilities of this courageous canine.

The Dog’s Heroic Actions

The video shows an incredible act of bravery by the dog as it defends itself against nearly a dozen coyotes. As described in a Reddit post, the dog’s owner is filming as a pack of coyotes approaches and begins attacking the dog (source). Outnumbered 11 to 1, the dog fights back ferociously against the coyotes, managing to fend them off despite the odds.

The dog displays remarkable courage, not backing down even when surrounded and bitten by multiple coyotes. Each time the coyotes lunge in to bite, the dog turns and fiercely fights them off. The dog’s ground and pound style of fighting seems highly effective against the coyotes, as it prevents them from flanking or surrounding the dog. Its relentless defense and stamina in battling numerous attackers is astounding.

Some of the most heroic moments include when three coyotes attack together, but the dog fights back and chases them away, and when the dog pins a coyote down despite having another latched onto its hindquarters. The dog seems completely fearless in the face of the coyote pack, doing everything it can to defend itself with little regard for its own safety.

The Aftermath

Both the dog, named Casper, and the owner sustained injuries in the fight (Dog wounded while fighting coyotes will make a full recovery, 2022). Casper suffered extensive injuries, including puncture wounds to his front legs, head, neck, and tail. After an examination at the LifeLine Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Atlanta, vets observed significant tissue and muscle trauma. The dog lost a lot of blood but was given pain medication, antibiotics, IV fluids, and had his wounds cleaned and closed. At the time of the vet examination, Casper was weak and slow to get up. The owner, John Wierwille, also sustained some minor scrapes and cuts on his hands from attempting to intervene in the fight.

Despite the traumatic event, the dog was expected to make a full recovery over several weeks of treatment and rehabilitation (Dog wounded while fighting coyotes will make a full recovery, 2022). The veterinarians praised Casper’s bravery and strong survival instincts. As of the initial vet visit, Casper was resting, on medication, and receiving dedicated nursing care. The vets remained optimistic about his prognosis but acknowledged the severity of the injuries sustained in the altercation. With time, rest and proper medical treatment, Casper was expected to regain his strength and return to his normal active self.

Dog wounded while fighting coyotes will make a full recovery. (2022, December 1). Decaturish. https://decaturish.com/2022/12/lifeline-vet-says-dog-wounded-while-fighting-coyotes-will-make-a-full-recovery/

Coyote Behavior

Coyotes are intelligent, opportunistic predators that occasionally hunt in packs, allowing them to take down larger prey. While attacks on large dogs are rare, coyotes may target unattended pets, especially small dogs and cats. There are a few reasons why 11 coyotes may have ganged up on this dog:

Defensive behavior – Coyotes are very protective of their territory and dens. If this dog wandered into an area with pups, the pack may have attacked to scare it away.

Prey drive – A large dog running through their territory can trigger a pack’s predatory instincts to give chase and attack.
Territoriality – Coyotes generally hunt solo, but may band together to patrol the edges of their territory. Seeing a lone dog could lead them to mount an aggressive, territorial display.

Coyotes are opportunistic in when and how they hunt. They may have been patrolling their territory and decided as a pack to chase after a potential prey item or perceived threat. While urban coyotes tend to avoid contact with humans, they can be quite bold when confronting unattended pets.

According to Urban Coyote Research (https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/coyote-info/conflicts-research-perspective), almost 30 different breeds of dog have been attacked by coyotes, but smaller breeds are targeted more often. This suggests that large dogs like the one in the video may be seen as threats, competition, or potential prey when running alone at night in a coyote’s territory.

Preventing Coyote Attacks

Coyotes typically avoid confrontation with dogs, especially when humans are present. However, it’s still important to take precautions to keep your pet safe. Here are some tips for deterring coyotes and preventing attacks on your dog:

Supervise your dog when outside, especially at dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active. Keep your dog leashed when walking, except in safe, fenced areas. According to the AKC, off-leash dogs are at higher risk of being seen as prey and attacked.

Never leave pets unattended outside. Bring cats indoors and put small dogs in fully enclosed kennels when leaving them outside. Make sure fences are at least 6 feet tall with no gaps for coyotes to enter.

Install motion-activated lights and alarms to startle coyotes entering your yard. Sprinkle ammonia or vinegar around your property perimeter, as coyotes dislike strong odors.

If you encounter a coyote, pick up and hold small pets to appear larger and intimidating. Shout, wave your arms, and throw sticks or rocks near (not at) the coyote to scare it off.

Eliminate outdoor food sources like fallen fruit and accessible garbage cans that attract coyotes to your area. Clear brush and trim vegetation to reduce hiding places and den sites.

Having a large guard dog may help deter coyotes from approaching your property. Specific breeds like Great Pyrenees have strong territorial instincts. Make sure any guard dogs are safely confined so they don’t end up harassing wildlife.

Training Guard Dogs

Certain dog breeds like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers are known for being territorial, which can make them excellent guard dogs when properly trained. According to the AKC, these breeds have protective instincts and loyalty that make them suitable for protection work and guarding (1). However, any breed can potentially be trained as a guard dog with the proper socialization, obedience training, and conditioning.

To train a dog to protect family and property, it’s important to start with basic obedience. The dog must know basic commands and have a close bond with the owner. Next, move on to specialized training like bite work and defense/protection commands. Finally, practice simulated threat response drills and territorial guarding behaviors like barking at unknown noises or people approaching the home (2). The key is to develop controlled aggression – the dog should only act on command or visible threat.

Other tips for developing guard dog behavior include: rewarding protective body language like barking at strangers, allowing supervised play that brings out a dog’s defensive drive, teaching them to patrol the property perimeter, and socializing them to be comfortable around family & friends (1). With time, proper socialization, and expert training, many dogs can be conditioned to serve as family protectors while still being friendly companions.

Aftermath and Update

After the video went viral online, many were concerned about the condition of the dog and whether it survived the attack. The dog’s owner later provided an update and additional details. He shared that miraculously, the dog survived the brutal attack with only minor injuries.

The owner brought the dog to the vet after the incident where he was treated for some puncture wounds and scratches. Thankfully there was no serious or life-threatening injury to the dog. The vet attributed the lack of major injury to the dog’s thick fur coat that protected it from the coyotes’ bites.

In the days following the viral video, the owner expressed his amazement at his dog’s bravery. He was shocked that his pet risked its life to protect the owner’s livestock and property from a pack of predators. The owner gained a new appreciation for his dog’s loyalty and guardian instincts.

The video gave many people a firsthand look at the threat coyotes can pose to pets and livestock. While the dog miraculously emerged relatively unscathed, the encounter highlights the importance of keeping guard dogs safe from coyote attacks through proper training and supervision.

Significance of the Video

The video of the dog heroically protecting its owner from the coyote pack went viral and was widely shared across social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter. According to Newsweek, it generated significant interest and laughs across the internet. People were amazed by the dog’s fierce loyalty and determination to guard its owner and home despite being outnumbered 11 to 1.

The video reveals the incredible bond between dogs and their human owners. Despite the clear danger from the large pack of coyotes, the dog showed no fear or hesitation in putting itself on the line to protect its loved one. This kind of selfless bravery and devotion from a dog is remarkable and tugs at the heartstrings of dog lovers everywhere. The dog’s steadfast protection, even when faced with overwhelming odds, shows why dogs are often called “man’s best friend.” People simply love seeing examples that illustrate the strength of the human-canine bond.

Conclusion

This incredible story and viral video showcases the immense loyalty and bravery dogs can exhibit when defending their territory and pack. While one dog was no match for a large pack of coyotes, he selflessly put himself in harm’s way to try to protect his home. The coyotes ultimately overpowered the dog, but he continued fighting despite sustaining injuries. Though the outcome was tragic, the dog’s actions were nothing short of heroic.

This encounter serves as an important reminder to keep a close eye on small pets when coyotes are known to be in the area. Coyotes can be dangerous and unpredictable when in large groups, as they may perceive a pet as prey. Taking preventative measures like securing yards, keeping dogs on leashes, and avoiding known coyote dens can help limit interactions. Though extremely rare, we must acknowledge that coyotes are still wild animals capable of aggression, especially toward unfamiliar dogs.

While this story ended sadly, it emphasised the loyalty and bravery that dogs are capable of. The dog’s selfless actions in attempting to protect his home despite facing long odds serve as an incredible reminder of the depth of a dog’s bond with their family. His memory lives on as an exemplar of courage.