You don't have to live in Maine to experience encounters with predators encroaching into urban areas. Central Ohio has had an influx of coyote sightings with the most recent one involving a coyote dodging in and out of traffic in a densly populated Columbus neighborhood known for its trees and deep ravines. For nearly a year now we've had sightings (complete with pictures) and various local law enforcement scouring the suburban countryside for a "big cat" thought to be alternatingly a cougar, lioness or puma. Residents have spotted a very large cat that has come to be referred to as the Gahanna Lion migrating along a southeastern corridor of Columbus suburgs. http://www.10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2550825

Happy New Year Smiths!! You knew I'd answer this Wild One!!

I'm surprised you never saw any big hawks swoop little dogs in E. Boston. When I had Legger (travellin heeler extraordinaire) in FL, did I tell you I rescued a Boston Terrier pup? He was running down a road that I had tracked FL panthers crossing, so I knew he was snackfood. I took him home and Legger tried to herd him around but the little guy was too quick and full of wanderlust, he kept disappearing at dusk and finally Legger came in without him. I have heard of lots of fisher scats and owl pellets containing cat bones, less often small dog bones. Scats are poop, owls all spit up bones and fur in pellets, not at all smelly gross. Now that you know where they live, look under trees for their interesting proof of diet. Last predator-prey story for the new year: when Legger was by my heel in the African savanna, we both were stalked by lions and leopards every day. I'd crate her from dusk to dawn, and keep her close during daylight. One night lions killed something big in our tentcamp, chomped happily all night, and in the dawn hours I heard hyaenas and then jackals (which look like our coyotes) cleaning up the leftovers. Such a feast, that as the sun rose, some fat jackals didn't leave, as me and Legger went out to see what was left. They actually touched my 40 lb heeler's nose as they waddled off, and Legger got to pick a few bones. Later she was attacked by, not a leopard (known to sneak into houses to take dogs) but by a warthog! Vegetarian but angry momma of five piglets. More Animal Answers later! Cheers!

Hi Thia,
Happy New Year!
In East Boston we had a huge population of skunks, raccoons and possum. We did see hawks and osprey and the like, but they never came near the dogs that I am aware.

The Fisher is still hanging around - the tracks are all over my yard and Charlee is going nutso.
-Nancy
who remembers the lion story, thanks for taking the time to share it