Dog attacked by a coyote in Portsmouth finds support

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. —His stitches are out and “he’s home, he’s healed,” Kathy Updegrove, the owner of a Labrador Retriever who was attacked by a coyote last month, said in a phone conversation with The Daily News.

When Jake was attacked by a large coyote in her yard early one January evening (Updegrove and her husband, Rick, live on Windstone Drive), Kathy was indoors but quick to sense danger and respond when she felt something was amiss. Though it had been thrashing Jake, Kathy’s screams startled the coyote and Jake was able to break free and walk towards her.

“I interrupted [the coyote],” Updegrove said. When she heard a commotion “[my] radar went up, maybe like a mother with a child…what bothered me the most about the whole thing, [the coyote’s front paws were] on Jake and [the coyote] looked directly at me” when she went outside. “I see that over and over again.”

But Updegrove’s actions weren’t just swift; the community, after the attack, was quick to offer support. Cards, flowers, dog treats and toys were sent to her home, Updegrove said. On social media sites, people reached out and requested meet-ups with their dogs and Jake.

“It’s just been amazing to see what an incredible place we live in,” Updegrove said. “We all talk about the beauty [of Aquidneck Island] but the beauty’s really in the people.”

Updegrove said Jake had puncture wounds “all over” his hind quarters as well as a “huge” puncture wound on his neck. The community support was strong following the attack on her dog, and Updegrove also acknowledged the other positives that followed the attack. People have told her they now keep a closer eye on their pets after Jake- an 80-pound dog- was targeted by a coyote.

“We weren’t well-versed in coyotes…we were aware, but we never thought a coyote posed a threat to Jake,” Updegrove said. “I think, I really, really believe, that Jake has saved dogs’ lives.”