DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. -- About 40 people attended a special meeting in Highlands Ranch Monday. The topic? How to live with coyotes.

A number of pets either being attacked or killed recently along the open space areas of the community prompted the meeting.

"I've seen them walk right across my front lawn," one neighbor told the group.

A Division of Wildlife representative told the crowd that coyote sightings are common across the metro area.

"I thought they'd be too afraid to come in my yard," Kamy Henson told 7NEWS.

The Parker resident witnessed her small dog be attacked by a coyote in December.

"That coyote had my dog in his mouth," Henson said, then recalled how she ran out and made noise until the coyote dropped her pet dachshund. The dog, named Rufus, survived with bite wounds to its neck.

The incident is one of 11 attacks on small pets in the Canterberry Crossing subdivision, according to Town spokeswoman Sara Walla. Five of the pets were killed.

Walla told 7NEWS the town has hired a wildlife expert to monitor, trap and euthanize a small group of coyotes that appear to be showing aggressive behavior. The pack could be as small as one or two, according to Walla.

One person walking her dog on a trail reported being followed by a coyote.

"I couldn't believe how close he let me get out there," Henson said. Although coyote attacks on people are considered rare, Henson is concerned the animal may have a reduced fear of people.

Henson said she's concerned about small children being at risk once the weather warms up.

Parker town officials reiterated they're not trying to remove the coyote population, just a small group that could be overly aggressive.

Division of Wildlife spokesperson Jennifer Churchill told 7NEWS anyone who's spotted wildlife like coyotes around their home should take precautions with their smaller pets.

"I wouldn't leave your pet unattended," Churchill said.

"There's so many different developments, so many areas growing into neighborhoods, we really are now moving on and crossing paths with wildlife a lot more than we used to." Churchill said.

The Division of Wildlife also recommends not feeding wildlife, even with good intentions. Feeding wildlife causes them to spend more time in neighborhoods where beloved pets soon become prey.

More information is available at the Colorado Division of Wildlife.