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emeraldjalapeno t1_j477wj6 wrote

Reply to comment by SBRH33 in Hunter won’t face charges for killing dog in Berks County by narkj

The size difference between a coyote and a husky are remarkable. Perhaps the hunter needs more training identifying coyotes

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annoyed_w_the_world t1_j484wv0 wrote

Everyone talks about the weight difference between a husky and a coyote, but not the height difference. An eastern coyote is on average 22-25 inches at the shoulder and while typically are only 20-45 lb in weight, the heaviest recorded was 75 lb. A male husky is on average 21-24 inches tall at the shoulder and this one weighed 88 lb.

The main difference in size appears to be stockiness, and an animal's winter coat can disguise how stock it is/isn't.

So you have an animal that's in the same height range and has similar coloration to coyote, the only difference is it's heavier, which can be hard to notice at 50 - 100 yards.

If it wasn't for the harness, I'd say there was no fault on the hunter's part here. Even with the harness, I'd say I wanted to see it first before making a determination.

Edit: I would say the fact that the hunter gut shot the dog could indicate he didn't have the clearest view, in which case I'd agree he shouldn't have taken the shot

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SBRH33 t1_j47ttza wrote

You could tell the difference at a 100 yards? 50 yards? Through brush and wood?

Idk about that.

Life lessons were learned all around that day.

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napoleon85 t1_j47w8az wrote

If you can't tell the difference, you shouldn't take shots at it.

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SBRH33 t1_j48qb8b wrote

The two animals do look similar and I can easily see how they could be mistaken, especially from a distance. These hunters were lawfully at hunt. These folks showed up, with dogs off leash. This is a 6 in half, one dozen in the other scenario. Stay out of areas where folks are actively hunting. Conversely, confirm your shot before you pull the trigger. In this case, in that area, coyotes are present. The hunter believed he had a coyote.

I completely fault the hunter if the dog was indeed wearing a blaze collar, but the owners claim it was wearing a "colored" collar. That could be any color, which isn't blaze.

When you are outdoors during hunting season, especially in public lands where active hunting takes place. Wear blaze orange, and if you have a dog put a blaze collar or vest on it as well.

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