The number of coyotes along the Front Range is difficult to quantify, writes The New York Times, but thousands of the animals have probably moved into metropolitan areas in the last two decades, attracted by a life that’s easier than the wild.

Yet the coyotes have become less afraid of humans in the process and are now regularly spotted in the backyards of affluent Greenwood Village, population 14,000. Residents have reported seeing coyotes 110 times in the first two months of this year, and Greenwood Village is now paying a hunter $65 an hour to kill coyotes that are deemed a threat.

The suburb south of Denver is not alone. In yet another incident in Broomfield last week, a coyote snatched one of Amy Archibald’s papillons from her yard, according to the Broomfield Enterprise. It’s a subject that Amanda Denison and her dog, Rufus, know well, as 5280’s Ashley Inman explains.

Meanwhile, Planetsave wonders who is at fault, people or coyotes? And the Colorado Division of Wildlife provides a backgrounder on the animals.