Coyote ravages illegal Saugus chicken coop

SAUGUS – An illegal chicken coop on Baker Street was ravaged by a hungry coyote on May 20, resulting in 10 chickens killed and their bodies scattered around the property.Animal Control Officer Harold Young said police received a 911 call around 6 a.m., and then a second call at 7 a.m., when the coyote returned for a second feeding.?It?s only natural for the coyotes to do that because they see the chickens as food,” he said. “Plus, it?s hunting season for the coyotes, as the mothers of their puppies are teaching them how to hunt.”Young said the residents of 15R Baker St. failed to lock the makeshift coop that morning, leaving the chickens to roam freely around the yard. Two baby chickens managed to survive the feast.?When I first got the call, I thought, there aren?t any chickens on Baker Street,” he quipped. “They?re operating without a permit, so the Board of Health sent them a letter of cease and desist.”As of Wednesday afternoon, however, the coop was still active, with roughly six chickens roaming around.?You wouldn?t even know the coop was there, but they still have to notify their abutters about it,” he said.According to a Board of Health bylaw, poultry cannot be kept within 50 feet of a residence, or 15 feet of an adjoining plot line. The property in question reportedly does not meet the setback requirements.Two separate attempts to contact the residents at their home were unanswered on Wednesday.Young said Saugus residents should be aware of their surroundings due to the coyote incident and to contact the police if they see one roaming about.?Always be careful,” he said. “Put the trash away and make sure barbecue grills are cleaned properly, because cooking meat is an attraction to them.”Young said he plans to step up patrols in the area of Baker, Ballard and Chestnut streets, where coyote sightings have recently been reported.