Three wild coyotes attacked a man while he was walking his dog in his backyard in his home in Kent, Wash. One of the three coyotes who attacked the man jumped up and towards him. When trying to push the coyote away, the man was scratched by the coyote’s front claws on his hand and wrist according to a Jan. 2, 2013, Enstars report.
Another one of the three coyotes who attacked Faron Scarberry grabbed him by his pant leg and shook his leg. In his defense, Faron Scarberry kicked and hit the coyote in order to get him away.
The incident which occurred on Dec. 28, 2012, resulted in a hospital visit for most of Friday night where Faron Scarberry received 24 rabies shots in his leg and two in his hip. Faron Scarberry has to receive more follow up rabies shots during the next three weeks.
According to a Komo News report, Faron Scarberry had moved to Kent only two weeks ago. Faron Scarberry’s house borders to a wooded area where several coyotes had been previously seen.
Most people unfamiliar with wild life and coyotes assume that coyotes are shy and stay away from people. People living in rural areas, especially rural areas in San Diego, know all too well that coyotes will come onto a person’s property whether to search for any kind of food or just to pass through.
Coyotes are a familiar sight in San Diego’s rural areas. Coyotes not only attack a man but also goats, cats, little dogs and other smaller animals. Coyotes can often be seen throughout the day, especially in areas that once used to be their territory.
With the increasing expansion of houses into coyote land, coyotes do not understand that they are not supposed to be on people’s properties.
Coyotes can jump over fences that are 6 feet high and coyotes can also dig their way under fences.
The best defense in dealing with coyotes is to be prepared for their presence, to be aware that they come in packs, and to keep all small animals out of a coyote’s reach.
When coming face to face with a coyote, making a lot of noise or having a sturdy walking stick is one of the best defenses.
When coyote packs are observed in San Diego, it is often clear who the coyote pack leader is. Remembering that the coyote leader will be the strongest and fiercest coyote of all can help focusing at whom to yell.
It is also not uncommon to come across an injured coyote or an abandoned coyote baby. In either case, it is important not to get close to the animal or try to touch it. A coyote might appear seriously injured or dead but, by instinct, a coyote will still attack. Calling a local wildlife support group or animal center is the only safe and appropriate action in dealing with wild coyotes.
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