An animal control officer in Northbridge, Massachusetts, shot and killed a family pet after mistaking the dog for a coyote, sparking anger from the dog’s owner and raising concerns over wildlife management in the area.

The incident occurred Tuesday after Northbridge police received a report of a coyote in a residential backyard, according to Police Chief Timothy Labrie. The animal control officer ventured into the nearby woods and, spotting what they believed to be a threatening coyote, fired at the animal.

Upon closer inspection, the officer realized the animal was a pet dog wearing a flea collar, Labrie said. Authorities later identified the dog as Odin, a young husky less than a year old, belonging to Northbridge resident Kirk Rumford.

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Rumford expressed disbelief and anger over the mix-up, arguing that his dog bore no resemblance to a coyote.

“My dog would have been the most gorgeous coyote ever, on steroids,” he said. “Look at pictures of what a coyote looks like in Massachusetts and my dog. My dog was beautiful. He looked like a wolf if anything, and there are no wolves in Massachusetts.”

Describing Odin as a “lovable klutz” with a playful demeanor, Rumford said the incident has prompted an outpouring of support from the community. He hopes his story will lead to changes that prevent similar tragedies.

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No action on an officer

Labrie defended the animal control officer’s actions, calling the misidentification a reasonable mistake. The officer, described as a veteran with extensive experience handling coyotes, will not face disciplinary action.

To prevent future incidents, Labrie urged dog owners to take precautions. “We do have leash laws. At the end of the day, if you can keep your fenced-in areas secure, keep an eye on your dog, and use identifying markers, it can make a big difference,” he said.

Rising coyote interactions in Massachusetts

The incident comes amid an uptick in coyote sightings and interactions across Massachusetts. In Nahant, residents recently contracted federal assistance to address aggressive coyotes after reports of pets being killed.

Experts suggest controlling coyote populations is not straightforward. Remington Moll, an assistant professor of natural resources at the University of New Hampshire, noted in a recent study that coyote removal can sometimes lead to higher reproduction and immigration rates. “Intensive coyote removal can obviously reduce populations in the short term, but it can also result in younger populations with higher reproductive rates,” Moll said.

Community calls for change

Northbridge, a town of about 16,000 residents located 43 miles west of Boston, has faced its share of coyote-related incidents. Labrie acknowledged the increasing frequency of coyote calls, though the underlying cause remains unclear.

As Northbridge residents grapple with the loss of Odin, the incident has reignited conversations about the delicate balance between wildlife management and pet safety in suburban communities.