SAN FRANCISCO — Signs have been posted at Crissy Field on San Francisco’s northern waterfront warning people, especially pet owners, of coyotes in the area after the Golden Gate National Recreation Area received reports of several attacks on off-leash dogs.
Signs ask dog owners to make sure their pets are leashed. Despite the warnings, many here let their dogs roam free.
Gilles Dezeustre says he comes to the beach with his dogs Nona and Nigel three to four times a week. He’s heard about the coyote attacks and says he himself had a close encounter.
“One night I was waking this little guy off leash at night at Golden Gate Park. It’s a really bad idea. You just cannot do that anymore,” Dezeustre said.
He spotted a coyote nearby tracking his dog for several yards.
“I knew my dog was in immediate danger,” he said.
He immediately called his dog to come to him and scared the coyote away. His two small dogs are prime targets for the predators.