Search on for coyote after student bitten on Marist College campus
POUGHKEEPSIE, New York (WABC) -- Officials in Dutchess County are alerting residents and students at Marist College of an aggressive coyote that bit a student on campus this week.
The animal was spotted Tuesday when a student in the area of Leo Hall was bitten on the leg.
The student was assisted by security and treated for the bite. School officials said the student is OK.
Curtis Rodriguez said his friend is recovering.
"He's going to classes, he is fine, he's walking perfectly, he had to get rabies shots," Rodriguez said.
It is unknown if the animal has rabies, but the college contacted authorities to help locate and trap the coyote.
The Dutchess County Department of Behavior and Community Health is reminding residents to avoid contact with wild animals and to keep pets away.
Between September 2022 and February 2023, aggressive coyotes have been observed in and around the following locations in the Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park area:
"Wild animals should remain wild, we should not try to interact with them, we should try to avoid them, and normally wild animals will try to avoid humans too," said Dutchess County Health Commissioner Dr. Livia Santiago-Rosado.
If there is any physical contact between a coyote and a person or pet, report the incident to DBCH as soon as possible at (845) 486-3404 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or (845) 431-6465 on nights/weekends/holidays.
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