A woman who was walking her small dog was forced to fend off a coyote after the wild animal chased them down.

After several coyote attacks, Niagara-on-the-Lake residents are calling on the town to do more to keep people and their pets safe from the wild animals who are becoming more aggressive.

Tim Balasiuk saw it all unfolding as he drove by.

“As soon as I saw it pick up speed noticed it was stalking something,” Balasiuk said.

Balasiuk saw it chasing a 10-month-old puppy, Charlie, so he tried to put his truck in the way, but that didn’t stop the attack.

“I was able to get out and intervene as the coyote was trying to lunge at the girl to get the dog,” said Balasiuk.

Charlie’s owner and her daughter both credit Balasiuk with saving Charlie’s life.

“I’d like to think it’s what anybody else would do,” said Balasiuk. “I’d hope anybody would do the exact same thing.”

Charlie wasn’t the first dog targeted. Joe Interisano said two weeks ago his son was walking their dog at 7:30 in the morning to get coffee when he was chased and attacked by a coyote.

Luckily in both cases, the coyotes were scared away.