Victim speaks out after coyote attacks him while working in his yard in Saddle River
SADDLE RIVER, New Jersey (WABC) -- A man who was bitten by a coyote in his own yard is speaking out after the second such attack in Bergen County in two days.
Mike Vincent says he was doing yardwork at his home in Saddle River on Tuesday when the coyote attacked and bit him several times.
It happened around 6:30 p.m. and he says he didn't see it coming.
"I was using this pole trimmer, it's a long pole with a saw on the end of it, I'm looking up... the next thing I know I get bit right here, OK, of course I turn around and there he is," Vincent said.
Vincent said it was clear to him the animal wanted to engage.
"He didn't bite me and run away, he wants to engage, so he starts nipping at me like this... and I hit him in the side of the head as hard as I could hit him," Vincent said.
Officers euthanized the coyote who they say was visibly sick.
The animal was tested, and officials confirmed on Wednesday that tests came back positive for rabies in the coyote.
Vincent has already had a round of rabies shots.
Tuesday's attack comes after a woman was also attacked by a coyote in Woodcliff Lake while outside with the family dog on Monday afternoon.
The animal pounced on a 31-year-old housekeeper, leaving her with open wounds on her shoulder, arm, back and leg, while she was with a golden retriever in the backyard.
Officials say the coyote also went after the dog, but it was not seriously injured during the encounter. The coyote then took off.
Officials the following guidelines that can help reduce the likelihood of conflicts with coyotes:
-Never feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk.
-Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats.
-Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
-Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
-Bring pets in at night.
-Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
-Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals.
-Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
-Although extremely rare, coyotes have been known to attack humans. Parents should monitor their children, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards.
-Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
-Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings - this reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents and rabbits. Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated like woodpiles.
-If coyotes are present, make sure they know they're not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose.
You can find more information online.
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