Coyote Kills 'Sam' in Silver Lake

Silver Lake resident Julie Rasmussen was in tears all day Friday.

She had just discovered the bloody remains of her cat Sam not far from her home near Benton Way and Berkeley Street.

Sam was named after Andy Warhol's cat. An alley cat, he lived outside with three other cats.

Julie had been feeding him and his contemporaries since they were babies.

Sam isn't the only cat Julie has lost to the coyotes. One of what she calls her "real" kitties--ones that live with her in her house--was taken down last year by a coyote too.

Now Julie's wondering if she should have brought Sam and his group inside to live.

Julie says she's devastated. She wants other locals to know that the coyotes are about and to warn them to keep their animals indoors at night.

She says that Animal Services will only come out and catch a coyote if it's been aggressive toward humans, so there isn't too much else to do.

Animal Services does track coyote sightings, however. You can call (888) 452-7381 to make a report.