Coyote bites woman as she tries to pry her dog from its mouth, Washington officials say
A woman was bitten by a coyote as she tried to pry her dog out of its mouth in Washington, wildlife officials said.
She saw the animal in her backyard Oct. 18 in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife said in a news release.
As she tried to free her dog from the wild animal’s mouth, it bit her, officials said.
She went to a nearby hospital with injuries to her arm and head, officials said.
Her dog is “safe and unharmed,” officials told McClatchy News. The dog was wearing a vest at the time of the attack, which protected it.
Wildlife officers went to the area and tried to find the coyote but couldn’t locate it.
What to know about coyotes
Coyotes can be found almost anywhere in North America, including in cities and neighborhoods, according to National Geographic.
“Adaptability—that’s the main reason for the success of the coyote. A coyote is naturally adaptable because it eats such a wide range of food,” National Geographic reported. “If it can’t find mice or voles to eat, lizards, insects, or even garbage will do.”
Here’s how experts say you can avoid conflicts with coyotes:
Don’t feed coyotes: Feeding a coyote in a residential neighborhood can cause the animal to lose its fear of people.
Don’t let pets run loose: If coyotes live nearby, don’t let pets out without a leash.
Don’t run from a coyote: Instead, you should shout, wave your arms or throw something in its direction.
Don’t haze or aggravate a calm coyote: If the animal is avoiding humans and pets, leave it alone.
Report aggressive coyotes: If the coyote doesn’t show fear toward humans, let wildlife officials know.
This story was originally published October 21, 2024 at 11:37 AM with the headline "Coyote bites woman as she tries to pry her dog from its mouth, Washington officials say."
