In some cases, coyotes have attacked pets and even killed them, 10TV's Kurt Ludlow reported.

Melody Martin's beloved pet Chihuahua Dusty was attacked and killed by a coyote while outside her home near Blendon Woods.

SLIDESHOW: Images From Report

"I had let him out and just shut the screen door and stepped into the kitchen and I heard his yelps," Martin said.

She rushed out back with a flashlight and found Dusty wounded in her yard, after being attacked by coyotes that were just on the other side of the fence.

"I could see their eyes, six of them," Martin said. "I could tell there were three and they were lined up right there."

Dusty had to be euthanized as a result of his injuries, Martin said.

"I grabbed him up and of course he was in pain, and I could see the shoulder, the side he was laying on was ripped open, there was a lot of blood," Martin said.

Martin said she wants something done to prevent future attacks.

"I think the Ohio Wildlife Division or the state of Ohio needs to do something to decrease the number of coyotes," Martin said. "I mean what's it going take for them, to come into a yard and grab a small child?"

Ohio considers coyotes to be nuisance animals, and allows them to be trapped, but does no trapping of its own, Ludlow reported.

After what happened, Martin started warning her neighbors.

"Don't close your eyes for a minute because it just happens so quickly, and it's devastating," Martin said. "I don't want other people to go through this."

The coyote is not native to Ohio, but the division of wildlife believes they are present in all 88 counties, Ludlow reported.

Wildlife officers said coyotes are opportunistic feeders, so it is best not to leave food outside for other animals, and not a good idea to leave your pet outside unattended.

Watch 10TV News HD and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.

Previous Story:

January 18, 2010: Dog Attacked By Coyote Home From Hospital
January 15, 2010: Dog Recovering After Being Attacked By Coyotes

©2010 by 10TV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.