JOHNSTON, Rhode Island – A hiker in Johnston, Rhode Island, managed to defend himself from a rabid coyote by killing the animal with his bare hands after being attacked and bitten on the leg. The incident occurred on Friday, and authorities suspect the same coyote was involved in another attack on a human.
The man, who has not been identified by officials, was hiking in the woods of Johnston when the attack took place. According to the Johnston Police Department, he was able to pin the animal down by the neck and cut off its air supply.
Following the attack, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) took the carcass to a testing facility where the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories confirmed the diagnosis of rabies. Additionally, the same coyote is believed to have attacked a dog walker in a nearby town, Scituate, on Thursday, as announced by Rhode Island DEM.
Dr. Scott Marshall, Rhode Island’s State Veterinarian, urged anyone who may have come into contact with the coyote to reach out to the RIDOH Infectious Disease division. He also advised pet owners in the affected communities to contact their veterinarian if they believe their pet has interacted with the coyote.
Although it is uncommon for a coyote to attack a human under normal circumstances, this incident marks only the third reported case of a rabid coyote in Rhode Island since 1994, according to officials. These attacks serve as a reminder of the importance of wildlife management and rabies prevention measures in the area.