For one young pup, getting onto a bus full of strangers yesterday morning was a far better option than getting devoured by coyotes.
Sixteen-month-old Duke was shaken up but relieved when Calgary Transit driver Dawn Hagel rescued him from the clutches of two prowling coyotes while on her route.
“These coyotes were looking at the poor puppy as breakfast, but I just couldn’t let that happen. They were definitely trying to get at him,” Hagel said.
Hagel spotted two coyotes cornering the young pup underneath a truck around 6:30 a.m. along her bus route in Bowness near the Greenwood Village Trailer Park.
Heeding call to duty, Hagel pulled the bus up and opened the door to let Duke in.
“He just came in like it was a better choice for him than staying out there. He kind of just looked at everyone and walked around and the passengers were very supportive,” she said.
The Australian Cattle Dog suffered minor bites on his legs but was happy to see his owner — who was even happier to see his dog.
“I was terrified, I wasn’t sure if I would be looking for a carcass of him,” 55-year-old owner Hugh Magill said.
Magill was walking Duke and another dog unleashed in the off-leash park when the coyote came down and lured Duke away and Magill lost site of the animals.
“I think she went above and beyond. She could have just scared the coyotes away but she made sure Duke made it home safe and sound.”
