Dog injured after coyote attack in Magnolia

Although a police report had a Chihuahua-pug mix dog named Tina dying after being attacked Monday afternoon in Magnolia, a posting late Monday night on the blog Magnolia Voice said the dog did not have to be put to sleep and is expected to survive following surgery.

The blog said, “Vets initially said there was no hope for the animal and the dog’s owner is very relieved but concerned about the cost of the surgery. Vets expect bills to exceed $1,000 for Tina’s recovery.”

The attack took place at 4 p.m. on the 2600 block of 23rd Avenue West, police said.

Police said the state's Fish and Wildlife Service has been notified.

The blog Magnolia Voice has posted photos of a coyote in the neighborhood's streets, "attracting lots of attention as many people stopped to check him out and take pictures."

There have been sightings of a coyote in Magnolia for the last two months. Local neighborhood speculation is that there may be two coyotes.

The Fish and Wildlife Service says the animals are unique opportunists who have adapted themselves to "every conceivable habitat."

And, says the service, coyotes are equal-opportunity diners. They don’t mind feasting on grass, fruits, and berries. Their meals also included mice, rats, gophers, mountain beavers, rabbits, squirrels, snakes, lizards, frogs, fish, birds, and carrion.

An earlier version of this story published Monday, January 11, 2010, was corrected Tuesday, January 12, 2010. The earlier story said the dog had died of its injuries but was later corrected to say the dog survived surgery.