HEIGL FACES THE UGLY TRUTH!

Just days before KATHERINE HEIGL's flick of the same name got eaten alive by bloodthirsty critics, a savage coyote sank its teeth into one of the star's plump little doggies!

Lounging at home, the "Grey's Anatomy" sexpot suddenly heard her pack of pooches howling and growling, hotfooted it out to the backyard - and spotted a big coyote gripping one of her beloved itty-bitties in its slavering jaws.

Screaming, Katherine snatched up a broom and ran right at the beast, which instantly dropped its whimpering prey and streaked into the underbrush.

The snack-sized bow-wow, yelping in terror, instantly bounced back on its four feet, lucky to be alive after sustaining two small puncture wounds.

From now on, Katherine told pals, her woofers get exercised on a leash.