Coyote allegedly attacked jogger in Marblehead

MARBLEHEAD – A jogger was suspected of being attacked by a coyote Monday night in Marblehead.

The incident was initially reported as a dog bite of a person jogging along Brown Street at the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. Animal control has since determined that the animal may have been a coyote.

“We don't have 100 percent proof that it's a coyote, but most likely it's a coyote,” said animal control officer Dan Proulx.

Marblehead residents say they frequently see and hear coyotes roaming the neighborhood.

“Very traumatic” attack

Proulx said it was a woman in her 20s. “It wasn't a very severe attack,” Proulx said. “It was very traumatic. Thank God it wasn't serious.”

The woman was treated at the hospital and started on rabies treatment as a precaution. Meanwhile, Massachusetts Environmental Police were searching for the coyote on Tuesday to determine if it was rabid.

The Animal Control Agency's Marblehead Coyote Tracker page states that a coyote surprised by a runner may trigger a “fight-or-flight” response. It also said that if the coyote is rabid, it will rapidly deteriorate in health.

“If this coyote has rabies, it is still in the early stages because he can run straight and escape and not stumble,” Proulx said.

Residents received a neighborhood alert about the coyote incident and were asked to be cautious and notify the city if they see coyotes in the area.

“I was walking and saw this huge dog standing in the middle of the road. It turned around and looked at me. I took one step and said, oh, oh, no dog,” said Oliver Loewen, a Marblehead resident. “I knew immediately it was a coyote.”

Neighbors hear coyotes howling

Wildlife officials say a nearby bird sanctuary is one of the coyotes' favorite hangouts. Neighbors say they hear the coyotes howling constantly at night.

“Like babies crying and screaming,” said neighbor Jeanne Williams, who carries rocks in her pockets for protection.

Coyote Safety in Massachusetts

There was Incidents of dogs compete against each other against coyotes in Massachusetts this year. MassWildlife says coyotes can be found in nearly every city in the state.

The agency says “the chance of being attacked by a coyote is extremely low.” Anyone who encounters a coyote should try to scare it away by making loud noises, throwing objects near it, or physically chasing it away to increase its natural fear of humans.

“Be big and loud and make your presence known. They scare easily,” said Marblehead resident Nick Walton.

Residents are encouraged to remove outdoor food sources and keep their pets indoors.