East Cobb residents report increase in coyotes

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Coyotes are attacking small pets in an east Cobb County neighborhood.

Residents in Sibley Forest told Channel 2 Action News that nearly all of the outdoor cats have disappeared.

"We lost two cats ourselves, one of them right in the front lawn," said homeowner Tony Rogowski.

"We'll see the 'Pets Lost' up on the board on the way out of the subdivision, most of us usually know what happened to that pet," said Alex Reethof.

Neighbors reached out to Channel 2's Carl Willis after seeing a report about increased coyote sightings in a north Buckhead community.

A spokesperson at the Cobb County Department of Public Safety pointed to tips on county's website suggested scaring the coyotes off in a humane way.

Katie Loos said her mother tried that on Saturday but was followed by a group of three coyotes that were after their small dog.

"She picked up my dog and ran off," said Loos "(She) started yelling at them and they didn't move,"

Loos said the animals were not intimidated.

"They're not afraid of us anymore and that's frightening," said Rogowski.

Reethof said part of the charm of living near the Chattahoochee National Forest is having nature in your backyard, but things have changed.

"When it gets to be such an abundance of these animals, and they are predators, my main concern is we have a lot of children in this neighborhood," Reethof said.

Cobb County's information shows that people are much more likely to be attacked by a dog and that it is up to pet owners to keep cats and small dogs protected on a leash or inside.

Rogowski said he wants to strike a balance with the coyotes, but said losing pets is not his idea of coexisting.

"I just hope we start looking at solutions before we have a crisis," said Rogowski.

WSBTV