Lubbock Co. Woman Believes Goat Killed by Coyote
By: Monica Yantosh
Updated: October 5, 2012
Loretta Vanallen woke up Friday morning in her West Lubbock County home to find her pet goat Larry had been attacked and killed.
She believes it was by a coyote.
"Larry's laying down, and all I can see is meat all on the side of his face," said Vanallen. "Something attacked him, half of his face is gone, he didn't just die."
The fence surrounding her 3 acres was completely in tact, and Vanallen pointed out strange prints in the yard.
Other animals in the yard, including a chicken coop, were left alone, and Vanallen said she did not hear any noise during the night. Friday, she said, her chickens were unusually quiet and calm.
Calls made out to Texas Parks and Wildlife for information about coyotes in Lubbock County were not returned.
One reason Vanallen feels it was a coyote that killed her goat was because a friend only a few miles down the road had a dog who was recently attacked. The dog was later put down at a vet's office. That vet said it was coyote who killed the dog. "They took it to the vet, and he didn't make it, and the vet told her there had to be at least three or four coyotes on it," said Vanallen.
"we're all fenced in, we walk this yard a couple times a week, just to make sure the puppies can't get out, didn't really think about making sure nothing got in."
Vanallen hopes by sharing her story, others will take precautions for their animals as well.
"Well the first thing i thought of was I didn't hear anything, and I didn't hear him, and Larry's loud, he'll let you know when he needs something," said Vanallen.
Now, Vanallen just wants to make sure her animals, and others in the area are safe. "How do you protect them? We're all fenced in, we walk this yard a couple times a week, just to make sure the puppies can't get out, didn't really think about making sure nothing got in," said Vanallen.
She believes it was by a coyote.
"Larry's laying down, and all I can see is meat all on the side of his face," said Vanallen. "Something attacked him, half of his face is gone, he didn't just die."
The fence surrounding her 3 acres was completely in tact, and Vanallen pointed out strange prints in the yard.
Other animals in the yard, including a chicken coop, were left alone, and Vanallen said she did not hear any noise during the night. Friday, she said, her chickens were unusually quiet and calm.
Calls made out to Texas Parks and Wildlife for information about coyotes in Lubbock County were not returned.
One reason Vanallen feels it was a coyote that killed her goat was because a friend only a few miles down the road had a dog who was recently attacked. The dog was later put down at a vet's office. That vet said it was coyote who killed the dog. "They took it to the vet, and he didn't make it, and the vet told her there had to be at least three or four coyotes on it," said Vanallen.
"we're all fenced in, we walk this yard a couple times a week, just to make sure the puppies can't get out, didn't really think about making sure nothing got in."
Vanallen hopes by sharing her story, others will take precautions for their animals as well.
"Well the first thing i thought of was I didn't hear anything, and I didn't hear him, and Larry's loud, he'll let you know when he needs something," said Vanallen.
Now, Vanallen just wants to make sure her animals, and others in the area are safe. "How do you protect them? We're all fenced in, we walk this yard a couple times a week, just to make sure the puppies can't get out, didn't really think about making sure nothing got in," said Vanallen.
