Florida woman watched in horror as a coyote attacked her 3 dogs — until a brave neighbor’s split-second move saved their lives

A quiet morning walk turned into a scene of panic and bravery in Boynton Beach, Florida, when a woman named Sandra Ciminelli watched in horror as a coyote attacked her three small dogs. The frightening moment unfolded outside her home on Mayfair Lane, leaving neighbors stunned and fearful. It was on November 7, 2025, when the shocking encounter took place, but what could have ended in tragedy was stopped by a neighbor’s split-second decision that saved the dogs’ lives.

As reported by WPTV News, surveillance footage captured the moment the coyote attacked the dogs. The footage showed the coyote running toward the pets, seemingly having stalked them before the attack. Robert Duran, a nearby resident, described the incident, saying, “She was taking her dogs out on the lawn and apparently the coyote had either been stalking them already and came after the dogs.” In a panic, Ciminelli screamed and ran after her dogs as one was grabbed by the coyote and dragged away.

Mario Colonbrito, another neighbor, witnessed the shocking event and rushed to help as he saw Ciminelli desperately chasing and holding onto her dog while the coyote dragged it across the lawn. Without hesitation, he began throwing rocks at the coyote to try to force the animal to release the dog. “I just grabbed a bunch of sand and dirt and I just kept throwing it in his eyes,” he explained. After several tense moments, the coyote finally let go, allowing Ciminelli to pull her dog to safety.

Though one of Ciminelli's dogs was injured in the attack, it was quickly rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic and is now recovering. Thankfully, her other two dogs were unharmed. Ciminelli, understandably shaken by the traumatic event, did not speak on camera, but she and her neighbors expressed their relief that all three dogs survived. Duran, who saw the attack unfold, said he was “completely shocked” by what had happened, describing the moment as “heart pounding.”  

The fear and anxiety from the attack left the entire neighborhood rattled. Colonbrito, who acted swiftly, shared his thoughts on the experience, saying, “It was like on a tear. I just went into action. I didn’t think this and that, but it didn’t run away. I’ve never confronted a coyote with my bare hands, but I did.” His courage was praised by Duran, who said that Colonbrito’s quick actions were the reason Ciminelli’s dog Molly was still alive. 

Although coyote attacks on dogs are rare, experts note that such incidents are more likely to occur during winter, the breeding season for coyotes. While most coyotes tend to avoid humans and larger animals, small dogs can be vulnerable. According to Whole Dog Journal, attacks typically happen when coyotes feel threatened or hungry. However, in most areas, coyotes and dogs coexist without issue. Many experts believe that coyotes usually prefer to hunt prey animals, rather than other canines. They add that when several coyotes are seen together, it is often a family group rather than a hunting pack.