DEARBORN (WWJ) — Officials believe a sheep that was found dead at Greenfield Village early Tuesday morning was killed by a coyote, according to a report.
Officials with The Henry Ford Museum say the killing of the male is “the first encounter of its kind,” to their knowledge.
“Given this recent incident, The Henry Ford has put additional measures in place to thwart future issues,” said a press release from the museum. “The institution is in communication with City of Dearborn officials and Michigan's Department of Natural Resources regarding this incident and coyotes in the greater community.”
While no further details about the incident have been released, it comes in the midst of an apparent coyote problem in the city of Dearborn.
Last week Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said on Facebook the city has “received an increasing number of calls for concern from residents as it pertains to coyotes in their neighborhood.”
Hammoud said some residents have reported their house pets have been attacked by coyotes and there have been sightings of coyotes eating feral cats. Others have said they experience anxiety “with coyotes roaming their backyards/streets/local park given they have small children and pets,” he said.
The mayor said there have been no reported coyote attacks on children or humans.
The Dearborn City Council planned to discuss the coyote problem at a public meeting last Thursday, giving residents the opportunity to voice their concerns.
Hammoud said the city has “had conversations with vendors about available options” as to hiring coyote trappers, but no contract has been signed.
In an April 2023 episode of The Daily J podcast, WWJ’s Brian Fisher took a look at coyotes in the Metro Detroit area, learning that coyotes are not just surviving here — they’re thriving.
Wildlife experts said on the podcast coyotes don't pose much of a threat to humans, noting attacks on humans are quite rare, with only two deaths since 1980.
Wrinkly merino sheep, a popular breed among 19th century wool producers, are bred at the Firestone Farm at Greenfield Village, according to the museum's website.
It took Greenfield Village nearly 25 years to breed this specific type of sheep. Every spring, shearers at Firestone Farm carefully navigate blade shears to remove each sheep's thick fleece -- a process that can take several hours as they shear around each wrinkle.
WWJ has reached out to The Henry Ford for further comment on the incident.