Pooch protects kids from coyote

DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WPRI) - A dog in Dartmouth was attacked by a coyote, during a family cookout.

Kristen Gwozdz said the coyote wandered out of the woods Saturday and attacked the family’s beloved 9-year old black lab, Nikki.

“She was bleeding really bad and she was cut up really bad, I saw the bites on her back, they didn’t look so good,” Kristen said.

Stephanie Gwozdz, 9, and her cousins were in the backyard when the coyote attacked.

“We all started to cry, we were all sitting inside on the couch crying,” she said.

Kristen Gwozdz said Nikki’s actions actually saved the kids.

“She was very brave for what she did, she fought the coyote, she was trying to run away too, but she was fighting.”

One reason Gwozdz said the labrador is doing so well, is because Nikki’s a fat dog.

“The coyote clawed into her so deeply, but she was so fat that it actually helped her so, that’s a good thing. It’s ok to have a fat dog no matter what they say!” says Kristen.

Doctors had to use hundreds of staples to sew up the gashes on the dog's neck and back.

The family visited Nikki Sunday afternoon at the vet, and could have her back home as early as Monday.

The coyote was shot and killed by Kristen’s husband.