Key Facts
- Incident
- Bobby Bones' dog Eller may have been attacked by a coyote.
- Location
- Bobby Bones' backyard, near woods.
- Coyotes
- A large coyote and several baby coyotes were seen.
- Dog's condition
- Eller received treatment and is improving slowly.
- Bobby's plan
- Seeking a trapper to relocate coyotes safely.
Background
Bobby Bones, host of The Bobby Bones Show, recounted on Monday's show how his dog Eller may have been attacked by a coyote while exploring the woods behind his house. Initially, he suspected a snake bite, a common concern from his Arkansas upbringing.
Eller, a hound mix that enjoys chasing rabbits, came out of the woods acting strangely and later began limping, eventually unable to put weight on one leg. Concerned, Bobby texted a close family friend who is also their veterinarian.
Current Situation
While trying to determine what happened, Bobby's wife Kaitlin spotted something in the backyard. Bobby looked outside and saw a large coyote on the property. As he began recording, several baby coyotes emerged from the woods.
Bobby took Eller to the vet, where she received treatment and medication. She is improving but recovery is slow. The next day, the coyotes were still there. Bobby joked, "The coyotes now own the yard. They planted a flag in our yard and said, 'We live here.'"
Because the animals are comfortable, Bobby has limited his dogs to a small area of grass and cannot let them roam freely. He is hoping to find a trapper to safely relocate the coyotes rather than kill them.
Impacts
The coyotes' presence has directly affected Bobby's dogs, particularly Eller, who is recovering from the attack. The dogs are now restricted to a small area, limiting their usual freedom.
Bobby is also concerned about public reaction after posting video of the encounter, fearing sympathy for the coyote puppies. He remains cautious until the coyote family moves out.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If Bobby finds a trapper willing to relocate the coyotes, they could be safely moved to another location, resolving the conflict without harm. However, if relocation is not feasible, the coyotes may remain, and Bobby may need to continue restricting his dogs' outdoor access.
The coyotes' fearlessness suggests they may become more entrenched, potentially increasing risks to pets. Alternatively, if the coyotes eventually move on naturally, Bobby's dogs could regain full backyard access.
Source: iheart.com
