Ragged-Looking North Shore Coyotes Likely More Mangy Than Rabid

BEVERLY, MA — With coyote populations on the rise throughout the North Shore, residents are more often encountering wild canines, as well as getting concerned that the more ragged-looking among them may be rabid.

While it is always possible a coyote that is acting erratically could be infected with rabies, the reason for the appearance is more likely the mange that comes from a weakened immune system due to eating poisoned rodents.

Beverly Animal Control Officer Matt Lipinski on Friday said that police and animal control in that city are receiving many calls about mangey coyotes but that state laws prevent them from trapping, treating or transporting the sick canines.

The reason, according to information Beverly Animal Control shared from MassWildlife, behind the ban is that trapping foxes and coyotes is a challenge that requires a heavily-baited trap that would attract both healthy and unhealthy animals. That interaction would also contribute to the spread of mange and make more animals sick.

(Also on Patch: Coyote Tensions Rise After Pack Surrounds Swampscott Dog Walker)

It is also illegal for anyone — including wildlife rehabilitators, animal control officers or the general public — to provide veterinary care or distribute medication to free-ranging wildlife for any reason. That includes Ivermectin, which is primarily used to treat mange, because it is toxic to some amphibians and birds and has unknown effects on other species, including dogs.

This is because providing the medication is done through feeding the wildlife — which leads to a reliance on humans and the lack of instinctual fear of people that then leads to the wild species becoming more prevalent in populated areas, which could then force the animals to be destroyed if they become dangers to humans.

"We know most of the illegal or harmful actions come from a desire for people to help and from enjoyment and appreciation for wildlife, but most people aren't aware of the consequences of their actions and that they are doing more harm than good," MassWildlife said.

More on how the pervasive use of rodenticide — or rat poison — is making other wild animals sick from former Swampscott ACO Dan Proulx can be found here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)