Coyote Scratches Woman Walking Dog In Reading

READING, MA — Police are warning a neighborhood after a woman was injured by a coyote while walking her dog. Reading police said the woman suffered minor scratches on her arm after coming upon the coyote while in the backyard of house she was visiting near Avalon Road and Whitehall Lane.

Police said the woman's injuries are not believed to be serious and her dog was not hurt. The woman may have come across a coyote's den in an overgrown part of the yard.

“Our early investigation indicates that this coyote was acting in defense of itself and its pups, and so we do not believe there is any threat to the public,” Deputy Police Chief David Clark said. “We encourage residents to exercise caution if they’re walking in the area but emphasize that we don’t believe there is any cause for concern.”