Woman attacked by coyote while protecting dog in Fall River
FALL RIVER – A woman ended up in the hospital after she was attacked by a coyote while walking her dog in Fall River. It happened around 5:45 a.m. Monday near the South Winds Apartments.
Amy Resendes says she heard the woman scream for help. "She kept yelling 'help, help!' and the dog was yelping," Resendes said. "That's all you heard was her screaming."
The woman was taking her dog for a walk near a wooded area when she was attacked. The coyote bit the woman's legs and arm multiple times. She was brought to Rhode Island Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
"She protected her dog, and she's in surgery," said Laurie Placeres. "She had a lot of bites."
While police were responding to the call, they learned the coyote had tried to attack some of the grounds crew at the nearby Fall River County Club. They were able to fight off the coyote until officers arrived and put the animal down.
"Unfortunately, as a result of the aggressive nature of the coyote, the decision was made to ultimately put the animal down to prevent the risk of further attacks," said Sgt. Moses Pereira of the Fall River Police Department.
Residents who live in the complex say they hear the coyotes every night and after this recent attack they say they are very concerned about their safety and their pets.
"It's definitely nerve-racking," said Cody Campbell. "I used to take my dog late out at night and now we don't want to anymore just because we are afraid of getting attacked just like the neighbor did."
"People with dogs, people that are coming back and forth at night or very early in the morning need to be careful," Placeres said.
Police say the coyote will be tested for rabies.