If you don't live in an area populated by coyotes, you might be a tad confused when you first see a dog sporting an ensemble like this one:
There's a coyote outside. You know what that means: coyote vest time! pic.twitter.com/Pj164giawL
— Amina Akhtar (@Drrramina) December 3, 2018
What at first glance appears to be a very odd Halloween costume is actually a Coyote Vest—a special coat of armor designed to protect your dog from this wild predator. The vest is made from Kevlar, the same puncture-resistant material used by law enforcement, and fitted with spikes on the neck and sides to prevent bites. But its most unique feature, perhaps, is the "coyote whiskers"—bright nylon bristles attached to the back which make the dog appear larger and more threatening to animals looking for their next meal.
While coyotes are around all the time, they tend to be most visible during their mating season, which runs from late December to March, which is why this is the best time to put on the vest.
— Brian Gillespie (@BrianKGillespie) December 4, 2018
And while it's certainly functional, people can't help but notice that they have the added benefit of making the dogs look super punk rock.
This precious little lady is channeling some major Jared Leto vibes.
Lola is just about ready to buy a leather jacket and rebel against mainstream culture.
And Charlie, well, he's mostly in this for the crowd-surfing.
In fact, some humans can't help but wonder whether or not they come in adult human sizes.
Hi do you make this in human sizes I wanna wear it at the grocery store thank you
— help lol (@warmmustard) December 5, 2018
Especially since cyclists in Australia actually wear a version of this as helmets to protect themselves from magpies—a type of bird that sometimes swoops down on an unsuspecting target and attacks their head.
That's basically how cyclists in Australia protect themselves from swooping magpies pic.twitter.com/BEnzU9wayi
— [gobsmacked] (@nwchap) December 4, 2018
As funny as coyote vests look, they have a sad backstory, as they were invented in 2014 by San Diego resident Paul Mott after his dog was attacked and dragged off by a coyote, never to be seen again. Based on the testimonials, it seems like these vests are pretty effective at warding off potential attackers. And if you can protect your best friend and make them look metal at the same time, it's just an added bonus.
And for more tips on how to shield your dog from harm, check out this expert advice on what to do with your pup during a natural disaster.
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