A coyote grabbed a small dog from a Lake Bluff family's yard while the owner stood just 10 feet away, and village officials are urging residents to keep pets supervised outdoors.

The attack happened in the Tangley Oaks neighborhood near 241 Leeds Court. Lake and McHenry County Scanner reported the incident occurred Wednesday, Aug. 19. Ken Robertson told the outlet that his wife was outside with their dogs when the coyote emerged from the woods on their property, seized their dog Stanley and ran. The yard had no fence.

"She chased and screamed at the coyote, but it grabbed Stan and ran away," Robertson said. "This happened so fast, with a person right there."

Officers searched the wooded area but did not recover Stanley. The dog is presumed dead.

The Lake Bluff Police Department said the attack is believed to be the first reported case of a coyote taking a dog in the village. The department is working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to document the incident, according to NBC Chicago.

Robertson said his family had previously seen coyotes in the neighborhood and had been careful about supervising their dogs outside.

Village guidance for residents

Lake Bluff officials said in a community alert that coyotes are a natural part of the region and that seeing one does not necessarily indicate a threat. But they urged residents to take precautions with small pets.

The police department's guidance:

• Keep small pets close and supervised outdoors, even in fenced yards.
• Never intentionally feed coyotes. Remove outdoor food sources that may attract coyotes or their prey.
• If you encounter a coyote, do not run. Stand tall, make yourself appear larger, yell, clap your hands, wave your arms or use a whistle or noise-making device until the coyote leaves.
• If a coyote behaves aggressively or poses an immediate threat to people, move to a safe location and call 911.

The IDNR documentation of the incident is ongoing. No further police action or village meeting on the matter has been announced.