It’s gotten to the point that Judith Bramble won’t walk her dogs without carrying a pistol.

The resident of Dutch Lane in Hermitage said she fears the “huge” coyotes lurking in woods behind her house will go from trying to lure her dogs into the woods to attacking them — or her.

The coyotes are not afraid to wander into the Wal-Mart Supercenter parking lot at night, Ms. Bramble said, and she predicted a close encounter of the worst kind could be in the offing.

“God forbid someone comes out of there with a load of meat and they go for it,” she said.

Ms. Bramble asked Hermitage city officials Wednesday if there is anything they could do to get rid of the coyotes, which she said have eaten neighborhood dogs and cats, and have at least scared off deer and turkey. She she would prefer that they be killed.

“We’re very worried and it’s difficult to live in that situation,” she said.

Coyotes, which can be hunted in Pennsylvania, are not new to Hermitage. Police Chief Patrick B. McElhinny said he has run across a few over the years, and even mistakenly tried to pet one he thought was a dog.

A few years ago, police received a report of a coyote hauling off a family dog.

According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site, the eastern coyote has become more common than black bears, bobcats and otters in the state in recent years.

The easterns are larger than western coyotes, possibly because of breeding with wolves, and an adult male can weigh up to 55 pounds. Their coloring of red, blond and dark brown gives them an appearance similar to a German shepherd.

Coyotes usually stay away from people and leave an area when they detect humans, the commission said. However, at night, they are more venturesome, and will eat just about anything.

“Coyotes rarely display aggressive behavior toward people,” PGC said. “If people appear, they usually run. That’s good. Still, coyotes, deserve our respect.”

The commission reported a man was attacked by coyotes in the mid-’90s in Dauphin County. He survived.

Coyotes adapt to their surroundings, and Pennsylvania’s variety has been creeping closer and closer to civilization each year, PGC said.

Commissioner Rita L. Ferringer asked if the city could bring in snipers to shoot the animals.