Coyote In Long Valley Attack Was Rabid, Police Share Safety Tips

LONG VALLEY, NJ— The coyote that attacked a man in Long Valley last week was rabid, Morris County Park Police said on their Facebook page.

State officials tested the coyote, which had been shot dead by park police immediately after the attack, and confirmed it was rabid. Police were notified of the results earlier this week.

A 66-year-old man was walking his dogs with friends on the Columbia Trail at the time of the attack. He fought the coyote off with a stick, but was bit on his thigh and buttocks. He refused medical treatment at the time, but was notified the coyote was rabid, Park Police said.

There have been no other attacks, and Park Police believe it was an isolated incident.

Park Police shared some things you can do to keep you and your pets safe:

• Keeping dogs on a leash no longer than six-feet long
• Maintaining a number of dogs that can be controlled by one person
• Keeping a charged cellphone with them
• Always knowing their location in case they have to call 9-1-1
• Immediately report any incidents or sightings of animals acting aggressive or peculiar

Washington Township also shared safety tips on how to handle a coyote encounter on their Facebook page:

Coyotes are naturally timid animals and will usually flee at the sight of a human. If they linger or approach, it’s time to begin “hazing.” This is a term applied to the following actions that can be taken to scare coyotes and chase them away:
•Be as big and loud as possible. Do not run or turn your back.
•Wave your arms, clap your hands, and shout in an authoritative voice. Make yourself look big.
•Make noise by banging pots and pans or using an air horn or whistle.
•Throw small stones, sticks, tennis balls or anything else you can lay your hands on. Remember the intent is to scare and not to injure.
•Spray with a hose, if available, or a squirt gun filled with water and vinegar.
•Shake or throw a “coyote shaker”—a soda can filled with pennies or pebbles and sealed with duct tape.

Image via Flickr, used under Creative Commons