Police Looking for an Animal, Possibly a Coyote, Following Attack in Rockville
UPDATE: 10/2/20, 7:45pm, the coyote tested positive for rabies according to Rockville officials
UPDATE: 10/1/20, 5:44pm, the coyote was killed by authorities.
The Rockville City Police Department is asking community members to be on the lookout for an animal, believed to be a coyote, that attacked a woman walking her dog on Winder Court in Rockville today.
Anyone who sees a coyote should leave the scene immediately and call 911.
The 59-year-old woman and the small dog she was walking were attacked around 10 a.m. She was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The dog was taken to the vet and unfortunately succumbed to its injuries.
The attack followed a sighting around 5:30 a.m. today of a coyote acting aggressively near Princeton Place. A man walking a dog saw the coyote. The man knew to raise his arms and make loud noises and the coyote ran away.
A third sighting occurred at 11 a.m. today when a homeowner on a deck on Aster Boulevard saw their dog barking at a coyote from the backyard. The dog was taken to a veterinarian. It is unclear at this time if the dog was injured.
Around 3:30pm today a juvenile was allegedly bitten by a coyote on Nelson Street and College Parkway in Rockville.
The police department is in the area tracking the animal.
If you encounter a coyote and feel threatened:
- Make loud noises and wave your arms or throw things in the direction of the coyote.
- If you are with a dog, put it on a leash or pick it up.
- Back away slowly and carefully. Never run. Running will increase the likelihood of an attack. You cannot outrun a coyote.
- Coyotes show aggression by growling. If the coyote becomes aggressive, throw sticks or clumps of dirt at the ground near the coyote. Avoid throwing at the coyote’s head, as this may intensify the animal’s aggression.
- Be loud and bold.
- De-escalation is the best strategy if an attack looks increasingly possible. If the coyote’s aggression increases, try again to back away slowly.
- Call 911 to report the incident.
Stock photo of a coyote has been used (not an actual photo of the animal in question).
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