Ozzy Osbourne is no stranger to wild and surprising behavior, but one of his lesser-known adventures took place away from the stage. Almost two decades ago, the rock superstar battled a coyote in the backyard of his Beverly Hills home. The animal’s growing presence was a threat to his family’s pets.
After a tragic incident where the Osbournes lost one of their dogs to a coyote, Ozzy tried various methods to keep the predators away, including laying out poisoned chicken. Unfortunately, this did not succeed, and another family pet, a little dog named Pipi, was also placed in jeopardy.
Ozzy Osbourne and his coyote face-off
Ozzy’s wife Sharon Osbourne recalled how he heard Pipi’s screams and immediately rushed into action. Without any fear, he wrestled with the coyote and was able to tear Pipi loose from its jaws. Although the dog was injured, it survived, thanks to the bravery of its owner, Ozzy.
The rare showdown is a testament to Ozzy’s gentler side. The Prince of Darkness is notorious for bizarre stunts like biting bats and doves on stage in the height of heavy metal music, but this act of bravery brought out a more humane side to Ozzy. Fans were stunned and impressed by Ozzy’s willingness to face real danger to save his pet.
More than a rock star
Ozzy’s battle with the coyote is among numerous bizarre yet admirable pages of his eventful life. For someone associated with stage acts and stunts, to tackle a wild animal with bare hands takes guts, but for Ozzy, there was no second option than saving his dog Pipi.
Now in his late seventies, Ozzy remains a rock legend and a celebrity beyond music. From the early part of his career as the frontman for Black Sabbath to his incredibly successful solo career, Ozzy has left a lasting mark on the heavy metal genre.