Health Officials: Rockland Woman, Dog Attacked By Rabid Coyote
ORANGETOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - A Rockland County woman and her dog are undergoing anti-rabies treatment after it was determined the coyote that attacked them early Tuesday morning did have rabies.
Mary Lou Gardner and her shih tzu mix Jasmine were out for a walk on Tuesday when the coyote attacked. Gardner put herself in between her dog and the wild animal and took the brunt of the attack.
"It bit me on the arm and then it went after her again and so I started kicking it, the coyote," Gardner said on Tuesday.
Neighbors heard a commotion and shouted, scaring the coyote into the woods.
When police arrived a short time later, they killed the animal and had it sent for testing to determine if it was rabid.
The Rockland County Health Department on Wednesday announced it determined that the coyote had rabies.
If untreated, rabies can be fatal in humans and animals.
It's rare for a coyote to attack a human.
Experts recommend making noise and raising your arms to make yourself appear larger if a coyote approaches.
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