Second Coyote Attack Reported Near Swampscott's Vinnin Square

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Coyote concerns are on the rise in Swampscott after a second bite in the area of Vinnin Square in the last three weeks was reported Saturday night.

The latest bite claim came from a woman who told police she was bitten while walking to her car in the parking lot of the Bertucci's on Paradise Road Saturday night, according to CBS Boston.

That report comes about three weeks after a man said he was attacked while parked in a nearby bank parking lot around 6 a.m. on June 13.

Both victims sustained relatively minor injuries.

Coyote sightings in the town — and throughout the North Shore — have been on the rise since the late winter mating season but the wild canines are generally considered more of a threat to small household pets such as cats and small dogs than they are to people.

Salem police said in February that despite the increase in visible populations "coyote attacks on humans are exceedingly rare."

"But they are wild animals and some precautions are prudent," police said.

Residents are reminded not to feed or ever try to pet a coyote, secure garbage so they are not drawn to residential buildings, and watch small pets, which are susceptible to attack.

Anyone who encounters a coyote is advised to make noise as coyotes are generally easily spooked.

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.)