BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The City of Bellingham is warning pet owners to be vigilant after a dog was killed in an attack at Lake Padden.

Parks and Recreation Operations Manager Steve Janiszewski says the attack was reported during the daytime at Lake Padden Park on Friday, April 11.

The dog’s owner was walking in the off-leash trails between the dog park and Galbraith Trailhead. Their dog had wandered off the trail and into the trees when the owner heard a series of barks followed by silence.

Courtesy of Bellingham Parks and Recreation

They found their dog under a tree with bite wounds to its neck, and it later died after being taken to an emergency clinic.

Janiszewski says the veterinarian believed the bite marks to be consistent with a coyote or another dog, though there was no confirmed sighting of a coyote at the time of the attack. He says the Parks department has received several reports of coyote sightings around Lake Padden and Whatcom Falls parks.

The city has since posted warning signs at both parks to warn dog owners of potential coyotes in the area.

Courtesy of Bellingham Parks and Recreation