(WILDLIFE) COLORADO — After initial reports declared multiple dogs to have been found skinned and mutilated alongside a few roads in Berthoud, veterinarians and wildlife pathologists have now concluded the animals were actually coyotes. Why were these coyotes killed, skinned, and left to be found beside the road? Read on for more details and the number to call with any information on the incidents. — Global Animal
- Coyotes live statewide in Colorado and in many areas are quite common. Photo credit: http://wildlife.state.co.us
NBC 9 News, Christina Dickinson
LARIMER COUNTY – Authorities say what were originally believed to be dogs found skinned and mutilated on the side of the road are actually coyotes.
Marcie Wilms with the Larimer County Human Society says they received an anonymous call of a dead animal found near County Roads 4 and 21 near Berthoud on Friday. Officials say the animal was skinned and decapitated.
On Saturday, Wilms says they received another anonymous call of another animal near County Roads 16 and 21, also near Berthoud. She says the animal was skinned and had some of its feet removed.
Wilms said originally both of the animals appeared to be dogs, but veterinarians determined on Tuesday that they were coyotes based on what was in their stomachs. She says the veterinarians and wildlife pathologist at the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories had to determine the species of the animals found because the animals were so badly mutilated.
Investigators say it appears the coyotes died from gunshot wounds to the stomach. The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife says it is legal to shoot a coyote and take it’s pelt in certain permitted hunting times and locations.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to call 970-226-3647 (DOGS).
More 9News.com and a video: http://www.9news.com/news/article/239772/222/Skinned-animals-found-by-road-are-coyotes-
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We have so many dickhead out and stupid still alive…
What a sick/sad world we live in.
I would like to make it clear I think it’s sick someone is leaving them on the side of the road, but it is clearly someone making $ off the pelts.
Their pelts are worth more $ right now, and if it’s anything like MN right now there are way too many coyotes and not enough food for them all so they are skinny and going after ppls pets (cats, dogs, rabbits, sheep, mini goats, chickens). They are so desperate they are in big groups chasing the horses in the pastures at night, which is not characteristic of them at all, but their desperate and starving:(
So sad!
Help !!! They need to have the same done to them sadistic bastard…..
So sad! Whoever did it is sick and this is a definite precursor to a serial killer. I hope he/she gets caught and receives the help they so obviously need.