JOHNSTON, R.I. – A rabid coyote in Rhode Island attacked two people in neighboring towns within the span of two days, according to state environmental officials. The first attack occurred around 12:15 p.m. Friday when a 58-year-old hiker was bitten by the coyote in a wooded area north of Belfield Drive in Johnston. The hiker sustained a minor leg injury and was taken to the hospital. He managed to subdue the coyote by pinning it down by its neck, and the animal died. It was later taken for testing by environmental management officers.
The coyote is also believed to have attacked another person in Scituate, about 11 miles away, the day before the Johnston attack. State veterinarian Dr. Scott Marshall noted that it is rare for humans to be victims of coyote attacks, and additional testing will be done to determine if the same coyote was responsible for both incidents.
The Rhode Island Department of Health confirmed that the coyote taken on Friday tested positive for rabies. The department also stated that while rabies-positive animals are more common during late summer months, they can be found all year long.
Rabies is endemic in Rhode Island, with the state reporting terrestrial rabies cases since 1994. The dominant strain is the raccoon variant, but other species, including coyotes, have also tested positive for rabies, albeit at lower rates.
Marshall emphasized that human cases of rabies are very rare and encouraged anyone who may have come into contact with the coyote to contact the health department’s infectious disease division. Additionally, the health department advised anyone bitten or scratched by a wild animal to seek immediate medical attention, as untreated cases of rabies are typically fatal.
In conclusion, the recent attacks by a rabid coyote in Rhode Island serve as a reminder of the importance of wildlife management and public health efforts to prevent the spread of rabies. Officials continue to monitor the situation and urge the public to exercise caution when encountering wild animals.