Friday, July 2, 2010

Coyote Attacks young children in Westchester County

Following two coyote attacks on young children in Rye in recent days, the Westchester County Department of Health is reminding residents to presume, as a precaution, that any coyotes that attack people could have rabies.

 
"There is always the possibility that coyotes can carry rabies," said Dr. Cheryl Archbald, Westchester County's Acting Health Commissioner. "Anyone who is bitten or scratched by a coyote should go to the nearest hospital. In fact, all animal bites should be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health, at 914-813-5000, so that the individual can be evaluated for rabies treatment."


Coyotes usually do not attack humans. However as residents make outdoor plans for this holiday weekend, Westchester County Department of Health offers the following simple safety tips to deter coyotes from attacking and to keep them away from homes.

To keep coyotes from your property:
  •  Bring pet food and water dishes inside.
  • Do not put out food for birds.
  • Do not leave food outside unattended; scrape your grill and burn off food residue.
  • Cover garbage cans securely.
  • Consider keeping small children and pets inside if there have been coyote sightings near your house.
  • While outside, have handy a loud horn, noisemakers, or pots or pans to bang on and also things you can throw at coyotes.

 If a coyote approaches you:

  •  Be aggressive: stand tall, shout in a loud voice, throw things at coyote, maintain eye contact and wave your arms as you try to scare it away and head indoors or to a more populated area.
  • Do not turn your back and run, as the coyote will then view you as prey and give chase.
  • Call 911. Do not try to catch the coyote unless you are a trained animal trapper.

Craig Thomas Pest Control is happy to announce, we have a full time trapper on staff to handle every animal, big or small. From squirrels, bats, beavers, skunks, woodchucks, coyotes or possums, we can handle it all. The name you already trust in pest control, expands to better serve our customers! Take advantage of this great service!


For more information about coyotes and rabies prevention, go to www.westchestergov.com/health or your local health department.

Article from: Westchester County Government - http://ow.ly/25ZqX
Picture: Encyclopædia Britannica Adovacy for Animals - http://ow.ly/25ZC8

 

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