The remains of at least three felines have been discovered on a property in Guelph, and residents are concerned the predator that killed them could still be around.
Sam, an orange and white domestic short hair, went missing on July 30. Despite a search and a reward that was offered, he has not been found.
When Sam's owner Gail McMichael heard about the remains found near her home she says "At that point I kind of lost it. I began, I began crying and I couldn't think of what else to say."
It hasn't been confirmed, but coyotes are suspected in the cat deaths, with at least two spotted in the area.
Steve Beaver saw a coyote in front of his house on Pleasant Road.
"I just saw this three-legged coyote just coming right down this sidewalk here and I kind of looked at him once and shook my head to make sure I wasn't seeing anything I didn't think I saw."
Others in the area have also seen the three-legged coyote, and another with all four legs was seen on the same street a short time later.
Paul Dametto saw the latter and says "I noticed in the street light that he was on a trot down the road, you know, he never stopped and just continued on."
The sightings have pet owners taking some extra precautions.
Area resident Susan Hendriks says "We are concerned about him, obviously, the dog, and small children of course."
Experts say coyotes are now seen more often in suburban neighbourhoods as development encroaches on rural areas.
Deb Gray of the Guelph Humane Society says "Knowing that a coyote is in the area, is to keep all pets indoors because anytime we allow our pets outside we are opening the door to Mother Nature."
Residents shouldn't panic, officials say, but should be aware of the threat to their pets.
For more information on coyotes visit the City of Guelph website at: http://guelph.ca/living.cfm?itemid=72667&smocid=2363
