When Coyotes Attack Folk Singers!

Taylor Mitchell, a 19 year old folk singer from Toronto, died tragically after being attacked by two coyotes while hiking in Cape Breton's Highlands National Park. She was touring the Maritimes before her death. Mitchell was hiking alone when the attack occurred. However, two other hikers scared the coyotes away and called 911. Unfortunately, their intervention came too late as Mitchell died overnight in the hospital, going up to that big ol' coffee shop in the sky.

Bob Bancroft, a retired biologist, has stated that these kinds of attacks are extremely rare, given that coyotes are generally shy in nature. However, park staff have indicated that the coyotes appeared "very agitated" Tuesday night. One hiker, who wishes to remain anonymous, reports that Mitchell was playing some songs for passersby on the trail about thirty minutes before the attack. Sadly, these two coyotes were the last two hecklers she ever saw. There was no encore.

An RCMP officer shot at one of the coyotes, but no dead body has been found. Though showing sympathy for Mitchell, this reaction from the RCMP officer has raised some concerns from prominent members of PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals). Pamela Anderson has released a statement through her publicist decrying the possible killing of a coyote. She says, "It's like so sad that someone had to like die and stuff. I mean, folk singers are like totally people too. But we have to save the coyotes!"

The folk community has shown tremendous solidarity in showing their support for a fellow performer. In particular, PETFS (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Folk Singers) are planning a joint benefit concert, celebrating the music of Mitchell and fellow up-and-coming singer/songwriter Jonathan Boyd, who died earlier this month after going home with a cougar after a gig.

Bob Dylan paid tribute to Mitchell today during a rare afternoon performance in St. Louis, telling the crowd; "Yhdbh andh Taybdtr Muivvdll wsaj oijiofhakon oianyegg." Unfortunately, Dylan's translator was unavailable for comment.

-JJ Ramone