Northwest Calgary resident Marc David had his arms full. He was balancing his Yorkshire terrier Woody in his arms while taking out trash last week at his home in Edgemont.

It was in the moment that he put down Woody to open the trash can and put the bag in the bin that the coyotes struck.

He looked up to spot his dog, but instead saw a coyote at the corner of his driveway.

"I looked back and saw a second coyote with Woody in his mouth," said David.

"And then he just bolted to Nose Hill Park."

A chase ensued, and David ran after the coyote that held his beloved dog in its jaws.

"He was running but only at a gallop. It was like he was taunting me. And then finally he stopped and he dropped [Woody] and left him there," said David.

David scooped up this pet, who appeared lifeless to him, and while hurrying home decided to try resuscitating Woody, like he had seen done online.

"I started blowing in his snout, I did it five times and he gurgled and then he kicked and his eyes opened," said David.

David says he has learned that even when taking out the garbage, use a leash for your dog. (Audrey Neveu/CBC)

On the mend

Woody suffered some serious damage from the Jan. 8 attack. His ribs and sternum were broken. He had six puncture wounds, some nerve damage and some brain swelling.

David says the little dog is "a little better, he's slowly recuperating."

He took him off the painkillers this week and Woody even took some steps.

"Well, I learned that you don't come out and take out the garbage without having your dog on a leash, I guess," said David.

"That was the big mistake right from the get-go."

Nose Hill Park is notorious for coyote sightings, and the residents of the surrounding communities, including Edgemont, are aware of their predatory neighbours.

David says there is a lot of traffic from animals like coyotes and even bobcats in his neighbourhood, so he reached out to the city to see what could be done.

He says they have been in touch and are studying the situation.

In the meantime, Woody is on the road to recovery.