Coyote worries in Western N.L.

Stories that coyotes are wandering town streets have left some people in western Newfoundland nervous.

"They get hungry, they'll kill your pets," said Jim Moss, of Nicholsville, a small community outside Deer Lake in western Newfoundland.

In October, a 19-year-old woman died after she was attacked by two coyotes in Cape Breton, N.S.

On Thursday, a man who lives in Nicholsville told CBC News that he saw a coyote walking through his community.

"I said to my wife 'that looks like a coyote walking down the street,'" said Clyde Compton. "She said 'No', I said 'Oh yeah, that's a coyote.'"

After a local dog barked, Compton said the animal, that he's convinced was a coyote,  did something that really frightened him.

He said it crouched down and crossed the street like it was stalking the dog that barked at it.

Compton said the animal ran off when it saw him.  

Newfoundland and Labrador wildlife officials said coyote attacks — against pets or people — are extremely rare.

Provincial wildlife officer Chris Baldwin has some advice if a confrontation does occur.

If you are out walking and you see a coyote, you should let it know that you are there by shouting out and throwing sticks at it," he said.

Anyone approached by a coyote, should back away slowly and continue to make noise.