Aggressive coyote attacks woman walking dog — and nips at others, Arizona police say
An aggressive coyote prowling an Arizona neighborhood attacked one person and nipped at three other residents, police said.
A 62-year-old woman was walking her dog in Prescott on Sunday morning when the wild animal bit her lower calf, the Prescott Police Department said in a news release.
She was treated for her minor injury and “possible rabies exposure” at a local medical center, authorities said.
The coyote also nipped at three other people living in the Prescott Lakes subdivision. Police said the animal didn’t bite anyone else.
Wildlife officials from the Arizona Game and Fish Department called the animal’s behavior “unusual,” and they could not find the coyote.
“Use extreme caution while walking in the area of Prescott Lakes Subdivision, especially while walking pets,” police said in the news release.
Prescott is about 100 miles northwest of Phoenix. The city is near the Prescott National Forest.
What attracts coyotes?
Coyotes roam neighborhoods when there’s food, water and shelter, according to the wildlife agency’s website.
Food can include pets, garbage, birds attracted to bird feeders or fallen fruit.
The wildlife agency encourages the public to scare off coyotes so they do not become adapted to humans and lose their fear of them.
This includes making loud noises, keeping eye contact, banging pots, waving your hands or other objects, throwing small items, spraying the animal with a hose or macing the coyote if it becomes “bold.”
If the animal continues to return, professional removal might be necessary.
This story was originally published October 19, 2021 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Aggressive coyote attacks woman walking dog — and nips at others, Arizona police say."
