The family resumed their search in the morning and was approached by the superintendent to the golf course, who told them they found him near a shed area about three or four fairways away.

“When we got him, there wasn’t a mark on him. That’s the crazy thing,” said Campbell.

“You would have thought the coyote would have mauled him and chewed him up, but he just left him there…It was very traumatic to say the least, to see all this happen in front of you.”

The Campbells got Eddie and Barney from a breeder in Sundridge, Ont. The pair was brothers.

“I can’t tell you how special this guy was, he was just a great, fun dog,” said Campbell.

“Everybody loved him, he was so friendly and lovable and to see this happen in front of you…it was very traumatic.”

This isn’t the first time the Campbells have seen coyotes in the area. The Campbells have lived on Kingsway for almost a year and they’ve seen two coyotes out on the golf course before and about six weeks ago, their neighbor had to fight off a coyote from attacking their larger dog with a hockey stick.

According to Burlington’s Supervisor of Animal Control David Lake, coyotes can get territorial this time of year because they’re denning and have young pups around.

“Normally they stay away from people, but it could have taken it as the dog coming into its territory,” said Lake.

As for the attacks on the pets, Lake says it isn’t uncommon.

“The coyote basically doesn’t know the difference from a cat, to a rabbit, to a small dog. It would be almost like prey to them.”

Coyote sightings have been more frequent lately and the city has warned the public about the wild animal before in areas such as Paletta Lakefront Park. But Lake suspects that as the weather gets warmer we’ll see less of them.

In the meantime, Lake suggests air horns for pet owners to help scare away coyotes and to always keep your pets close to you, even on your own property.

Campbell has thought about erecting a fence between his property and the golf course, but says he’s apprehensive about it because he’s been told coyotes can jump fences or still find a way to sneak in.

“I want pet owners to be aware that coyotes are not friendly and they need to be on guard,” said Campbell.

He says the family plans to bury Eddie up at their cottage near Huntsville.

“To see your dog killed in front of you by a wild animal is just…an awful experience. I don’t wish it on anyone.”

For more information and safety tips on encountering coyotes, visit www.burlington.ca/coyote.