“Don’t want to hit the panic button, but you Astorians who leave kitties or doggies outside at night may like to know that at about 2:30 a.m., (my dog) Mouse went from a dead sleep to a growling, howling, barking freaked-out screaming fur ball,” Sharon Collyer posted on Facebook Aug. 4. “… And two seconds later, a coyote yapped just outside our place on Eighth and Harrison …”

Sharon went on to explain that coyotes “yap for many reasons,” one of which is to alert other coyotes. “So,” she speculated, “there’s a good chance that the coyote wasn’t the only coyote out there.”

Sharon isn’t the only one who’s noticed coyotes within Astoria city limits. Several others have posted similar concerns on Facebook, as well, and Doris Larremore even called the Ear to ask that people be alerted, and careful.

“Now, I’m totally pro-coyote,” Sharon added, “and my main concern is that Astoria residents care for their little animals, and not go out there armed with guns to start killing coyotes.” Good advice. So take heed, Astorians, and keep your beloved pets safe inside.