ROCKVILLE, Md. — Police in Rockville believe a coyote attacked a woman and her dog while walking Thursday morning.
It happened around 10 am on Winder Court.
The 59-year-old woman was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive. Her dog has been placed into quarantine.
According to police, the attack happened in between two other reported coyote sightings in the area.
At 5:30 am, a man walking his dog near Princeton Place saw what he thought was a coyote acting aggressively. He was able to raise his arms and make loud noises to scare it off.
Then at 11 a.m., a homeowner was on their back deck on Aster Boulevard when they saw their dog barking at a coyote.
It's unclear if that dog was injured, but the owner did take it to a vet.
Here are some tips from police if you come in contact with a coyote.
- 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.
