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By Liz O'Connell
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An Instagram reel quickly went viral with more than 2 million views after showing a frightening moment when a family's off-leash outing took an unexpected turn when a predator approached.
Father John Carle told Newsweek via Instagram that his daughter and her friend were walking through a designated off-leash park with the family's two dogs—a goldendoodle and a Labrador retriever. But in the March 30 video posted to his account @johnpcarle, inching behind the dogs was what appeared to be a coyote looking at the dogs like prey. The dogs originally went over, thinking the wild animal was a friend, before turning around.
Panic struck as his daughter realized what was happening, but she did exactly what she should have in the situation. Carle said: "When the dogs charged, she dropped the leashes, stayed out of harm's way and called me."
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Her friend was standing behind a small fenced-off area, capturing the entire event on video, which Carle later shared on his Instagram, explaining in the caption that it was scary for the girls, but everyone was safe.
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"The doodle also did what was right," Carle said. "He chased the coyote away, protected his pack, the lab and my daughter, and didn’t give chase."
In the clip, the goldendoodle named Boomer kept turning around to check what the animal was doing. He finally gave a stern warning to not come any closer, scaring him off in the other direction. Despite being described as an “85-pound baby” at home, Boomer displayed a surprising level of courage that took Carle by surprise.
"He’s scared to go through a half-open door..." he said. "This wasn’t a stance I was expecting from him."
Carle arrived quickly after getting the phone call to check in on the girls and the dogs.
How to Protect Your Dog From Coyotes
Guidance from the Humane World for Animals stresses that prevention and control are key when it comes to keeping dogs safe around coyotes.
Dogs—especially smaller breeds—should never be left outside unattended, as coyotes may see them as prey or approach if food or water is left out. Keeping pets supervised and bringing food indoors can help reduce the chances of attracting wildlife.
When out in public or wooded areas, owners are advised to keep dogs on a leash and close by, as off-leash dogs are more likely to approach or chase a coyote, which can quickly escalate into a dangerous encounter.
The organization also emphasizes that dogs should never be allowed to interact or “play” with a coyote, even if the animal appears calm. Encounters are often linked to territorial behavior—especially during breeding season—making caution essential.
Overall, staying alert, maintaining control and limiting attractants can significantly reduce the risk of a close call.
Wildlife Encounters in Urban Areas
A study published in Scientific Reports found that urban coyotes have significantly adapted to city life, primarily by changing their diet and behavior. Researchers discovered that coyotes living in cities consume far more human-related food sources—like garbage and processed food—compared to their rural counterparts, who rely more on natural prey.
This shift in diet was linked to poorer overall health and increased stress, as well as a higher likelihood of disease and parasite exposure.
The study highlights how urban environments don’t just attract wildlife—they actively change how animals live, eat and behave, which can increase the chances of interactions and conflict with humans and pets.
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