Rabid Coyote Attacks Runner In Roswell

ROSWELL, GA -- A Roswell man is now undergoing treatment after a rabid coyote attacked him last week in a neighborhood.

According to the Roswell Police Department, the man contacted Fulton County Animal Control on Monday, Feb. 27 and recounted the ordeal to officials.

The resident was running in the area of Plantation and Lake Charles drives and was approached by the coyote from behind.

The animal bit the runner on his lower leg and in turn, the man said he grabbed the coyote and held him down as neighbors called 9-1-1, the police department's Facebook page said.

Roswell police responded to the scene, fatally shot the coyote and called in Fulton County Animal Control officers to remove the carcass, Roswell police added.

The animal was sent to a lab for testing where it tested positive for rabies. The victim is currently receiving treatment for exposure to rabies as a result, police note.

• RELATED: Georgia Urges Hunters To Kill Coyotes

Following the attack, Fulton animal control officers are now distributing fliers in the area to alert residents to any danger these animals could pose.

The agency has also released the following tips to avoid encounters with coyotes:

• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets and livestock.
• Prevent pets from coming in contact with wild animals by keeping them under direct supervision and not letting them roam free. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, contact your veterinarian and animal control.
• Spay or neuter your pet to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly vaccinated.
• Don't feed or water your pets outside. Even empty bowls will attract wild and stray animals.
• Keep your garbage securely covered; open garbage will also attract wild or stray animals.
• Do not keep wild animals such as raccoons, bats and foxes as pets.
• Enjoy all wild animals from a distance and teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, even if they appear friendly.
• If you see a wild animal acting aggressively, do not approach it; report the incident to animal control officials.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' fact sheet on coyotes, residents are also encouraged to keep pets indoors and to enclose small livestock and poultry.

Animal bites and animals exhibiting signs of sickness and aggressive behavior should be reported to Fulton County Animal Services at 404-613-0358.

Image via Pixabay