A Barrington woman is hoping her recent encounter with coyotes serves as a warning to other residents as they head outdoors this summer.

The woman — she asked that her name not be used — recently set out for a walk on the Rhode Island Country Club property with her husband and their dog at about 8 p.m. Having parked their car on South Lake Drive, the couple strolled across fairways and over short bridges that span the creek meandering through the golf course.

They let their dog, a 2-year-old female German shepherd mix, run off-leash and it trotted ahead exploring the grounds. As the couple reached a section of golf course near the maintenance shed, their dog spotted a large coyote about 20 to 30 yards ahead and darted after the wild animal.

The woman said she tried to call off her dog as it ran after the coyote, and then she grew very concerned as the coyote quickly reappeared after ducking into a stand of trees and was joined by two other coyotes.

The dog stopped its chase and began a fast retreat toward its owner, as the wild animals began running after the dog.

"I was terrified for her," said the local woman. "It was as clear as day that they (the coyotes) had lured her in.

"People should know there is a pack of coyotes out there and they were hunting an 80-pound dog."

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Wildlife Biologist Charlie Brown said the coyotes were likely responding to the aggressive nature of the dog when they reportedly chased after it. He said the coyotes — a pack would actually be a family unit with a male and female and possibly an older juvenile offspring — could have had a den nearby with pups.

"Having a dog off-leash could be a recipe for trouble," said Mr. Brown.

The wildlife biologist said that while coyotes often hunt at night, it is still considered normal for people to see coyotes during daylight hours, especially in the summer months when the days are longer and nights are shorter.

"This is the time of year when pups are being reared. If there's a litter of three to four pups, the coyotes will be hard-pressed to get it (the hunting) done in the dark," Mr. Brown said.

Mr. Brown said coyotes have been living in Rhode Island since the mid-1960s and are located in every community in the state except for on Block Island. He said many human-coyote encounters are centered around food — the wild animals are often drawn into peoples' backyards to feed on pet food left outdoors or to hunt small backyard creatures such as squirrels, rabbits and woodchucks. He added that cats left outdoors are also targeted as a food source by coyotes.

"They will eat cats. It's the right size for them," he said. "I recommend keeping your cats indoors, particularly at night."

According to a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management document, coyotes are normally shy and secretive animals.

"To some people, seeing a coyote in the wild or hearing them howl at night is a rewarding experience," stated the release. "To others the coyote represents a threat to game animals, pets and livestock. Some people are fearful just knowing coyotes exist in the vicinity of their homes and neighborhoods."

Barrington Police Chief John LaCross said residents would be wise to remember that even in a suburban town like Barrington they share the outdoors with plenty of wildlife, including coyotes. Just last week, Hampden Meadows resident Larry Ginsberg photographed a coyote walking along the shoreline of Hundred Acre Cove near Knapton Street.

The woman whose dog was chased by coyotes at the Rhode Island Country Club golf course said she has seen coyotes in the past — both around Barrington and out west where she lived previously. But it was the nature of the coyotes she encountered earlier this month that left her feeling very concerned.

"It was the pack mentality. They were hunting as a pack," she said.

The resident said people around town would be wise to keep a close eye on their pets and children while they are outside, "particularly at dusk."

"I know these are smart, well-meaning parents who let their kids play outdoors," she said, specifically mentioning the streets that border Echo Lake.

Mr. Brown said a neighbor's dog likely poses a greater threat to children while they play outdoors, but added that people should be cognizant of the fact that coyotes are around.

"If there are coyotes hanging around, I can almost guarantee that it has to do with a food resource issue," said Mr. Brown.

Helpful reminders

The website Coyotesmarts.org offers residents some information about how to safely co-exist with coyotes:

• Never leave pets outside and unattended, even during daylight hours.
• Avoid feeding pets outside if at all possible. Or feed them during the day and remove all bowls when finished.
• Remove all food attractants from the yard, including fallen fruit.
• Clean areas around bird feeders and store feed indoors.
• Keep lids on garbage cans and cover compost piles.
• House backyard chickens in secure and protected coops.

From RI DEM website:

"In urban and suburban environments coyotes prefer to travel through and remain in close proximity to areas with abundant hiding cover. This could include powerline rights-of-ways, urban stream corridors or parks and other open space areas. Taking shortcuts through suburban backyards to and from food sources is common...

"The coyote is probably the most successful canid in North America. The coyote is not a specialized predator but is a generalist and opportunistic predator and scavenger, consuming a wide variety of foods that includes small mammals, deer, carrion, birds, insects, fruits, berries and garbage. Additionally, they are able to thrive in a wide variety of natural and human-altered environments including deserts, grasslands, forests, agricultural land, suburbs, and urban areas."