ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
It didn't take long for Greg Tanner's camera to get proof that a dangerous predator was roaming in his Virginia Highlands neighborhood.
"I get this big, bushy tail one afternoon back on Feb. 22. Then three days later, bang, there he is. Sighting confirmed," said Tanner. "He wanders through the shot a few times, then, on March 3, about 8 p.m., he comes through again. On March 4, at 1 a.m., he returned again."
Tanner sent out an email blast to alert his neighbors. He said it confirmed some of their worst fears.
"I have to admit I had a passing moment of worry about the coyote," said Barbara Petit, who lives nearby.
Petit said the news changed how she treats her dog Sophie.
"Certainly if I put her out in the backyard by herself, yes I am more watchful and at night I am not putting her outside at all," said Petit.
Petit said it appears the animal is here to stay.
"He is using that creek as his highway and it runs past a few restaurants and grocery stores and I am sure he is finding some food back there as well. He is coming through two or three days a week on a regular basis," said Tanner.
"The obvious advice for everybody is to keep small animals under your surveillance especially at night," said Petit.
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