Residents in Eastchester and Bronxville are urged to stay alert after the rabid coyote attacked six dogs and three people on Monday.
It happened near Siwanoy Country Club and Twin Lakes Park.
Twin Lakes Farm owner Scott Tarter said he was warned that morning by management at Siwanoy golf club, which is in the same area.
"We have giant snapping turtles, we have a lot of deer and we do have coyotes and we see them regularly," Tarter said. "There are 120 horses that live here and we'll see the coyotes, usually outside by the garbage dumpster out in the woods but never aggressive like this."
The coyote was put down by Eastchester police.
The Westchester County Health Department was notified Wednesday that tests of the animal's brain were positive for rabies and officials want to make sure there are no additional victims.
"If people were on the trail were bitten by a coyote, they need to reach out to the health department immediately and let us know," said Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler. "If individuals had dogs or other animals that were bitten, we'd also like to know about that.
Coyotes typically prey on small animals and will scamper from humans, but aggression toward other animals and especially people is usually a sign of illness.
"Rabies is a universally fatal disease, once you have symptoms, there's nothing we can do, so people who had an exposure, if they were bit by this animal, will need to give us a call," Amler said.
The county health department says anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should seek medical attention immediately and report the incident.
Keeping pets vaccinated against rabies is also essential. New York State law requires dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies and receive regular booster shots.
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