Jessica Simpson's Coyote Nightmare: Common and Preventable

While the recent coyote attack on Jessica Simpson's maltipoo Daisy is devastating, unfortunately, it's a situation that's all too common. Ozzy Osbourne, Halle Berry and a host of other celebs have seen their pups snatched by the wolf-like animals, right from their own backyards.

"Los Angeles has had coyotes for a long time," Dr. John Hadidian, Director of Urban Wildlife Programs at the Humane Society of the United States tells PEOPLE Pets. "They have a more established population there."

It's wise for anyone living in the L.A. area to be warned: Given its sheer size, along with its varying climates and landscapes, California in particular offers a good habitat for coyotes. But the animals can be found all over the country – and even move into urban areas when they're frantically looking for food.

"If there's been a drought or a fire, those are factors that give the coyote not much to eat in their natural habitat, and they have to look elsewhere," says Animal Planet zoologist Dave Salmoni. "That's when you find them coming to areas with people."

Though they often dine on small rodents, rabbits, birds and even fruits and veggies, if a coyote sees a small cat or dog unattended in a backyard, it considers that animal fair game. "They're not doing it to be mean," Hadidian says. "It's business to them. Just another day they have to survive." Adds Salmoni, "That's a desperate animal, risking a lot for that meal." Entertainment News Courtesy By People.com