At least a couple of freshly reported attacks on Wellesley dogs by coyotes are being investigated by the town’s animal control officer, Sue Webb. We received email from a reader Sunday night alerting us to the attacks.

One dog was attacked by a coyote by Cliff Road on Friday, though the dog is home recovering after surgery. The dog’s owner saw the coyote attacking the dog, which was released by the interloper when the owner ran outside. Another dog was attacked and killed nearby a couple of days later.

“It is mating season for wildlife, including skunks and coyotes, so I am sure to get more calls for a couple of weeks especially since there is not much snow to limit movement of wildlife,” Webb said, noting that dogs under 20 pounds have been targets.

She added that the coyote or coyotes could be almost anywhere in town since they range 5-plus square miles seeking food. Coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk, and can generally be scared off when people appear or make noise.

Webb says an injured deer was also killed by a coyote during the past week near Great Plain Avenue.