An animal control officer in a Massachusetts town is warning owners to keep their cats indoors after the disappearances of 17 cats over a period of several months.
According to animal control officer Harold Young, cats have been reported missing from across the small Essex County, Mass., town of Saugus since late winter.
Since most of the streets where cats have been reported missing are rural, Young said coyotes have snatched many of the cats.
Also, no traces of cat remains have been found in the woods or any indication that a person is doing anything with or to the family cats.
Young said if pet owners don't keep their cats and other small animals inside they should at the very least supervise any pets while they’re outside.
To keep coyotes out of their yards, he also recommended that homeowners secure garbage cans, cover grills and even keep an eye on bird feeders, which all contain potential sources of food.