Tag's owner, Doug Neathammer, says they let Tag and their other dog Lola out into the front yard around 8:30 p.m. Within seconds, they heard a lot of barking and commotion.

"We called the dogs in and only one dog came back," Neathammer said. "So we became a little frantic at that point."

Neathammer says he looked for Tag all night but says deep down he knew what happened. The family's neighbor, Sharie Rooney, says they see coyotes around the area all the time.

"They're always roaming," Rooney said. "I see little flyers about small dogs and cats that go missing, and I know a coyote got to them."

Rooney says this is the fourth time in the last few months that a coyote has attacked pets in the area.

"To have one just jump over the fence and attack the dog, it's just devastating," Rooney said. "It really hits home. You always hear about it, but when it happens across the street it's scary."

Neathammer found the dog's remains the next day, just 100 yards away in an open field.

"It was horrible to see a cute, fun little animal destroyed like that for no reason," Neathammer said. "The coyote just wanted to kill him. You have flashbacks of the fun moments you have had with your animal. It's terrible."

Neathammer says his family is still heartbroken but says he won't make the same mistake again.

"If we do get another small animal, we will take more precautions so this tragedy doesn't happen again," he said.

Jennifer Churchill with the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife says this is the time of year coyote cubs start to disperse, so pet owners need to be extra precautions and vigilant right now.

More tips on what to do to protect your animals from coyotes

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