Suspected rabid coyote attacks puts Eastchester-Bronxville on alert
The suspected rabid coyote attacked three people and two dogs near Siwanoy Country Club and Twin Lakes Park.
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Westchester County health officials are warning residents after a suspected rabid coyote attacked three people and two dogs near Siwanoy Country Club and Twin Lakes Park.
News 12 ran into Michael Hynes who says that he and his two dogs encountered the rabid coyote Monday morning.
"I walk everyday my two dogs, Skittles and Shamrock," said Hynes. "Out of nowhere came this rather large gray coyote, and it attacked me and my two dogs."
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He and his two dogs are doing OK. Shamrock was nipped by the coyote, but Hynes says the situation could have ended much worse if it weren't for someone nearby.
"One of the neighbors in Claudette, Brian I believe is his name, came to help," said Hynes.
The neighbor was able to help scare the coyote off long enough for them to escape.
Police believe the animal has been killed.
Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should seek medical care immediately and report it to the Health Department at 914-813-5000.
Shalom Sokolow, an emergency physician and Phelps Hospital says it's best to seek care immediately.
"You certainly don't want to wait for any symptoms," he said.
Symptoms could take several weeks to develop. Which is why it's best to get checked right away, after washing the wound under running water and using soap. If you do need to be treated, you'll initially get two shots. One is for a rabies vaccines, the other helps deactivate any rabies virus that might be inside you already.
"Then the patient will return three more times for additional rabies vaccinations. That goes on for a total of two weeks," said Sokolow.
While seeing coyotes this time of year is normal, officials remind residents to avoid wild animals, keep pets' rabies vaccines up to date and report any animal showing unusual behavior.
