Coyote That Attacked 2 Women, Child Had Rabies: Rockville Police

Rockville MD

05 October, 2020

11:03 AM

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ROCKVILLE, MD — A coyote that attacked at least three people in Rockville on Thursday has tested positive for rabies, authorities said. The coyote first attacked a 59-year-old woman walking her dog on Winder Court around 10 a.m., according to Rockville police. She was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the dog was quarantined. At least two other attacks followed, according to Rockville police. Shortly after 3:30 p.m., authorities responded to a call for a 12-year-old boy who had been bitten by a coyote along the Upper Watts Branch Trail. He was taken to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he underwent treatment for his injuries. Less than an hour later, Rockville police said they responded to the area of Redland and Gaither roads to assist a 39-year-old woman who had been bitten on her arm and hand by a coyote. She was also taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At 4:45 p.m., a Rockville police officer encountered the coyote near an underground storm drain along West Gude Drive. Authorities said the officer fired his gun after the coyote charged toward him. The coyote then ran into a heavily wooded area near Aster Boulevard and Carnation Drive before police fatally shot it. "Due to the aggressiveness of this animal, and the fact that three individuals were severely attacked, one being a child, we made the decision to put the coyote down out of an abundance of caution," said Rockville City Police Chief Victor Brito. "Our utmost concern will always be the safety of the community and its residents." The coyote was taken to the Maryland Department of Health, where it tested positive for rabies. Rabies can be fatal to humans or animals if they are exposed and do not receive treatment. Anyone who may have had contact with the coyote should reach out to Montgomery County public health officials.