BOILING SPRINGS, S.C. (WSPA) — An investigation is underway after a reported coyote attack in the Boiling Springs area. An Upstate woman said she rushed to her fenced backyard after she heard her dog scream. "I've had her since she was a puppy, and not knowing originally what happened, I was absolutely terrified," said dog owner Delenah Calvert. "So, we took her to the emergency vet, and she had the wounds they said were indicative of a coyote attack." Calvert said she knew there was a pack of coyotes prowling around her Boiling Springs neighborhood but never suspected they would attack in broad daylight. Photo of Delilah, a four-year-old Boxer-Pitbull mix, after she was attacked on Dec. 22. "You can hear them like every night, but we've never had one come out in the middle of the day," said Calvert. "It was literally, about 1 p.m., like it was the middle of the day on Sunday." Photo of Delilah, a four-year-old Boxer-Pitbull mix, after she was attacked on Dec. 22. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said coyotes are most active right before dusk until just after dawn. "Coyotes that consume a significant proportion of human-related food items are more likely to become habituated toward people and cause negative interactions," said the SCDNR. "These food items include pet food, garbage and discarded food scraps. Neighborhoods should encourage feeding pets indoors as well as the proper disposal of all trash. Food items used for composting should be placed in sealed orclosed bins." Calvert said she believed the coyotes were looking for food and thought her dog was food. Stitches that Delilah received after the animal attack on Dec. 22. "The one thing that the vet told us was that it's very normal for coyotes to go for the bottom of whatever they're attacking, so that is like a tell-tale sign that it was a coyote," said Calvert. "My dog was extremely lucky. It was a very well high possibility that she should have died, but we assume that she fought back. So just watch your animals and your kids." Calvert said Delilah is recovering well but will now be leashed whenever she needs to be taken outside. She will also install fence stakes that touch the ground. Coyotes-in-Suburban-and-Urban-Areas-rev-3-2020Download