Jasper the cat may have gone through a couple of his nine lives recently.
The 4-year-old domestic short hair cat of the Mintz family on Starwood Drive was attacked by a coyote last weekend. He managed to escape the coyote's grasp, and is on the mend after a few stitches and an evening at an animal hospital.
The Mintz family - Claudia, Howard and their children Isaac, 10, Jesse, 8 and Hannah, 6 - say they are very happy to have Jasper back, and are spreading the word that coyote attacks are a real danger in Andover.
"I was somewhat cavalier about coyotes because I had never seen one myself. Even though it was in the back of my mind, I didn't hesitate to let my cat out," said Claudia. "I realize now that it can happen to anyone. Just because I didn't see coyotes, it doesn't mean that they're not there. I assumed we were immune to it, but we weren't."
The Mintzes did not see Jasper's coyote attack, but Howard did notice a coyote in their backyard around 4 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 1, and later discovered Jasper's wounds. After the family had taken Jasper to the animal hospital, the coyote returned the next day, probably to finish the job and the meal that got away, said Claudia.
Starwood Crossing is a single street cul-de-sac off Greenwood Road. The Mintzes backyard abuts a wooded area.
In July, Andover police issued a special warning to pet owners, after two dogs were attacked and carried away by coyotes in the span of two weeks. Coyote sightings and attacks have continued through the summer, say police, and residents are asked not to leave pets tied outside, unattended, or to feed pets outdoors.
Claudia says her family will keep Jasper inside from now on, and keep close supervision on their dog Sabrina, a lab mix, whenever she goes out.
The Mintzes three children were upset by Jasper's attack, and understand that he needs to stay inside, even though he doesn't like it.
"I explained to the kids that he would be in danger again. They understand that Jasper was very lucky," said Claudia. "They now call him the mighty cat. He got away from the jaws of death."
Staff at a North Andover animal hospital confirmed Jasper's injuries were coyote puncture wounds, said Claudia. Even though Jasper had just had a round of vaccinations, he will have to be quarantined at the Mintz home for 45 days, according to animal control protocol.
"The vet said it was very unusual that he survived. Somehow, Jasper was able to get away," said Claudia. "He fought and got away from that coyote, and boy he was very lucky."
On Tuesday, July 21, a Stouffer Circle resident called police to report that his poodle was taken by a coyote from his yard in the early morning.
Earlier in July, a dog was plucked from a yard off Dascomb Road by a coyote when the owner let the dog out in the early morning. A second attack happened on the trails around Haggetts Pond, when a local woman let her dog off leash to run.
