Altadena pet owners are on edge after a series of Coyote attacks killed three dogs.
The attacks occurred around Mendocino Street and Maiden Lane near the Altadena Golf Course.
Residents said three dogs have been killed since last week and as many as 13 coyote sightings have been reported to the Sheriff’s Department.
It's believed that recent fires and hot weather may have forced the coyotes from nearby hills to go looking for food.
"I think maybe they're denning in the area because of the burn area," said David Britt, a local resident. "I go hiking up here and when you get past that ridge there's 250 square miles of nothing."
Britt said neighbors have seen packs of 5-6 Coyotes with pups.
Sunny Murchison, whose 9-year-old Miniature Pinscher was mauled by a coyote Thursday night, said she’s moving out of the neighborhood.
"It's illegal to shoot coyotes, any wild animal in the state of California," Murchison said. "When they're attacking your own pets you can't do anything about it. You can't kill them. You'll go to jail and lose your weapon forever."
Residents are advised to keep a watchful eye on their pets and to keep them indoors as much as possible.
