Coyote Attacks Person In Chester County

WARWICK TOWNSHIP, PA — A coyote attacked a person in Chester County on Sunday, leaving them injured and sparking a search by wildlife authorities for the animal.

The incident occurred on Dec. 28 on Warwick Furnace Road.

Circumstances surrounding the incident are not yet clear. The Chester County Health Department said in a statement that it is not yet known if the coyote is rabid. However, coyote attacks on humans are extremely rare and can very often be explained by rabies.

Authorities have not provided information as to how severe the attack was or the condition of the victim.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is heading the search for the coyote.

"Residents are advised to stay away from any wild animals and remain aware of their pets," the health department said in a statement. "Residents are strongly advised to NOT attempt to catch or engage with a coyote."

Human sloppiness is the primary contributing factor to increased coyote activity in Chester County and across Pennsylvania, a state wildlife biologist previously told Patch. Two main habits in particular contribute to an increase in coyote sightings and coyote-human interaction: garbage left outside and unsecured, and pet food left on the porch and available for anything that comes along in the night.

When coyotes are fed, they adapt to the new situation and gradually lose their fear of humans, which can lead to dangerous situations. But attacks on humans are extraordinarily rare, as it is simply not in the coyote's nature to be confrontational with humans. By far the greater threat coyotes pose is to pets, as they may view small animals as prey.

While coyotes are classified as carnivores, they are more truly omnivore generalists, and are as happy to subsist on plants, berries, and insects as they are on mice, birds, and deer.

Coyotes typically are around 20 to 25 pounds, but some can grow as big as 50 pounds.

Individuals who come into contact with a coyote should contact the Chester County Health Department at 610-344-6225.