The Wyckoff Police Department is warning the public to be on alert after a coyote attacked and killed a 96-year-old woman’s beloved dog.

Doris Heitman says that it happened Tuesday night. She was getting ready for bed and had taken her Chihuahua, Hartman, out for a walk.

“I said to the puppy, ‘You go outside and pee-pee and we’ll go to bed,” she says.

But that’s when a coyote came out, attacked the dog and carried him off.

Heitman’s grandson Brian Heitman says that she was just 10 feet away from the dog when the coyote grabbed it. She called police, all four of her grandchildren and her two sons.

Brian Heitman says that he was the first to arrive and he grabbed a kitchen knife and went off to find the coyote and Hartman. He says that he found them in a wooded area not far from his grandmother’s condo. The coyote apparently wasn’t ready to give up its prey.

“He was still in the area circling a couple of times, which really got me worried,” Brian Heitman says.

The coyote eventually took off, and Brian Heitman and his uncle were able to bring Hartman home. But unfortunately, the dog died.

Doris Heitman says that the dog was a rescue and had been in the family for about 10 years.

“He was my best friend. He was my comfort,” she says.

Doris had just lost her husband about a year ago. She says that she hopes the tragedy of losing her dog will help others from experiencing a similar incident.

“I'm gonna miss him terribly. We were growing old together,” she says. “Maybe people hearing about him will save some other puppies."

Wyckoff police issued a statement saying that they have reached out to their animal control partners who are doing what they can to protect the public.

Police also warn the public to not leave small pets or children outside alone. They say to never run away from a coyote and to call police immediately if one is spotted.