A one-year-old stray puppy is being hailed a hero after single-handedly fending off a pack of coyotes in a dramatic 45-minute encounter caught on home security camera.The tense footage, recorded earlier this month in a suburban Los Angeles neighborhood, shows the young Labrador Retriever-German Shepherd mix now named Duke fighting off five aggressive coyotes who encroached on a residential property during the early morning hours.Captured by a security camera in Brea, the video reveals Dukes quick reflexes and natural defensive instincts as he skillfully evades multiple attacks. The coyotes can be seen circling the dog, lunging at his sides, legs, and face. Despite being surrounded, Duke strategically positions himself with his back to the shrubbery to avoid being outflanked.He knew how to protect himself and fight them off, said homeowner Melissa Shatynski, whose camera recorded the incident. He backed into a corner and unbelievably held his ground.
According to KTLA, the Shatynski family only realized what had transpired after reviewing the footage in the morning. Upon seeing Duke still wandering the neighborhood two days later, they contacted Orange County Animal Care, who took the dog into custody.Officials said Duke was initially available for adoption but may have already found a new home. Described as shy but sociable, Duke enjoys the company of other dogs, splashing in the pool, and playing with handlers, according to OC Animal Care. Once he warms up, he enjoys doing zoomies and playing, a spokesperson for the shelter noted. A video shared by the agency shows Duke energetically frolicking in a kiddie pool and playfully engaging with another dog. INCREDIBLE: A 1-year-old stray German Shepherd-Lab mix fights off a pack of five coyotes for 45 minutes in Orange County, California.I pounded on [the window] as my garage door opened. About five or six coyotes appeared from different directions and headed up our hill. The pic.twitter.com/yo4wSNTxTF RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) May 23, 2025While some wildlife experts suggested the coyotes might have been acting in a non-aggressive, communicative manner, others pointed out that coyote behavior tends to shift during breeding season. During this time, adults become more territorial and food-seeking making smaller animals like dogs potential targets.
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