Yellow Lab Chases Down a Coyote

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By Alex Robinson

Posted on Jul 15, 2010

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Photographer Alek Komarnitsky spotted this coyote while out on a walk with his son near Lafayette, Colorado.
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He followed the coyote from a distance shooting these photos with a telephoto lens.
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The area was semi-rural, but there were still plenty of people around. Alek shouted to warn these two bikers about the coyote, but that didn't scare the animal away.
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The coyote kept a close watch on Alek.
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As the sun began to set, the coyote headed for a nearby farm in hopes of catching some prairie dogs for dinner.
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That's when two dogs spotted him, and the chase was on.
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Even though he was outnumbered, the coyote didn't make a break for it right away, letting the dogs gain plenty of ground on him.
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The dogs circled in front of the coyote.
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Like two boxers feeling each other out in the first round, neither party went in for the knock out punch early.
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It looks here like the coyote is chasing down the lab. But the big yellow lab actually took a swipe at the coyote and missed and his momentum carried him forward.
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They both try to regain their balance.
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The lab whirls around ready to take another shot.
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Here it looks like the lab has the coyote right where he wants him.
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But while the lab is bigger and stronger, the coyote is quicker and more agile. He makes a break for it.
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Coyotes can run flat out faster than 40 m.p.h.
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Most fit retrievers can run between 30-40 m.p.h.
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But this chase is over almost as soon as it begins. The lab doesn't have a shot at catching this coyote.
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The lab escorts the coyote off the property. Neither animal was harmed in the scuffle.
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Coyotes have been known to kill dogs, even big dogs like Labrador retrievers. However, these boys didn't seem to get that memo. To visit Alek's webpage go to: www.komar.org. Check out our Worst Coyote Attacks Gallery >>

Watch the chase unfold as a brave yellow lab takes on one of the West’s craftiest and deadliest predators.

 
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