A coyote bit a woman and a dog outside a home in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, according to police and media reports.
“Today at 1:17 pm, we had a resident and their dog attacked by a coyote on Woodcrest Drive,” according to a Facebook post on Monday by the Woodcliff Lake Police. “They are ok, but please be aware of your surroundings when out with small pets.”
ABC7 reported that a 31-year-old housekeeper is recovering from wounds to her shoulder, arm, back and leg.
The housekeeper and a golden retriever were in the yard when they were targeted in the mauling, which was captured on video surveillance footage. The coyote left after the homeowner went outside to help the woman and the dog, according to ABC7.
“While coyotes may look intimidating, attacks on humans are rare,” said a message from the police department on its Facebook page. “However, they’re more active in our area, especially when searching for food for their pups. Let’s stay alert and safe!”
Police offered the following tips:
Never leave pets and kids unattended outside, especially at dawn or dusk;Use tightly closed containers and never feed coyotes;Remove bird feeders, pick up fallen fruit, and cover compost piles;Clear brush and dense weeds and install motion lights;If you encounter a coyote, make loud noises, wave your arms and spray water, but don’t run or turn your back on the animal.
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