Coyote Drags Dog Into Woods In 4th Attack In Bergen County Town, Police Say

SADDLE RIVER, NJ — A dog was dragged into the woods by a coyote in Saddle River on Wednesday — the fourth coyote attack in the town and the sixth in Bergen County since September, police said.

"A resident of Burning Hollow reported that their small dog was attacked by a coyote and taken into the woods," police said on social media on Thursday night. Police said the dog had not been found.

Police said that Tyco Animal Control was notified and is investigating.

In September, a coyote attacked two people in Saddle River who were walking their dogs. Police later captured and euthanized a coyote with rabies, a virus that attacks the nervous system and without treatment is fatal to animals and humans.

The third attack happened in October, when a man working in his backyard was bitten. That coyote was found and also tested positive for rabies.

READ MORE: Coyote Attacked Man In His Back Yard, Police Said

In October, two more coyote attacks were reported in Bergen County. In one case, a coyote killed a woman's pet shih tzu in Ho-Ho-Kus. That coyote was not captured, police told Patch.

A coyote has been seen several times in Ho-Ho-Kus since then, police said Jan. 8, in the same area where the dog was killed.

"This is coyote mating season (Jan-March) in New Jersey," Saddle River police said Thursday. "Males can become more aggressive during mating season. Never leave pets or children outside unattended. If you have pets, walk them on a leash. Carry some form of a hazing tool, such as an air horn, whistle, or stick."

Aggressive or sick wildlife should be reported to police, they said.

Patch has reached out to police for an update and will add the information if it's released.

Read prior reporting: New Coyote Guidance Released In Bergen County