DARIEN — A coyote reportedly attacked and killed a Maltese about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Darien after the dog was let out in a residential back yard.

“I let him out and I turned around and it sounded like a little girl screaming in the back yard,” said owner Dan Shelstrom. “I didn't know what it was and then I heard it again and looked out my back door and the coyote had my dog in its mouth.”

Shelstrom instinctively ran outside and the coyote dropped his dog, Harley. He was still alive, but had puncture wounds and two of his vertebrae were smashed. After bringing him to the Arboretum View Animal Hospital, it was determined that the 6-year-old dog would have to be put down.