Rabid coyote confirmed after attacks on humans, pets in Buford

Rabid coyote bites man, pets in Buford

A coyote that attacked multiple people and pets in Buford late last month has tested positive for rabies, prompting public health officials to urge residents to take precautions and ensure pets are properly vaccinated.

ATLANTA - A coyote that attacked multiple people and pets in Buford late last month has tested positive for rabies, prompting public health officials to urge residents to take precautions and ensure pets are properly vaccinated.

What we know:

Officials said the first incident occurred Dec. 26 near Holland Park Drive, where a resident and a dog were injured. Two additional attacks involving two residents and another dog were reported around 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Dec. 27 near Wyncliff Court and Bennies Way. The animal was later captured and tested, confirming rabies.

Health officials warn that rabies can be transmitted to humans and animals through bites or scratches from infected wildlife, including coyotes, raccoons and foxes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rabies is almost always fatal in humans if left untreated. Early symptoms may include fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort.

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Pet owners are urged to make sure dogs and cats are current on rabies vaccinations. The National Association of State Health Veterinarians says unvaccinated pets exposed to a rabid animal must be strictly quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month before being released.

Anyone bitten or scratched by a stray or potentially rabid animal should seek medical care immediately and notify their health care provider of the exposure. Residents are also advised to contact GNR Public Health at 770-339-4260 and ask for the epidemiologist on call.

What they're saying:

It happened around 6:30 a.m. Saturday on Wyncliff Court. Brown took out his Shih Tzu, Gigi, for a walk. "I look over here and five feet away is a coyote," Brown said.

The wild animal lunged. "In just an instant, that coyote was all over me. I stuck out my leg to protect my dog. It hit the side of my leg, biting and chewing, and it knocked me to the ground," Brown said.

The coyote tried to leap over Brown. "I held up my hand and that’s when it bit my fingers," Brown said. "I was just like I need to keep my dog safe."

He kicked it away. "I was able to get up with my little dog in my arm. It came at me again. It stopped when I yelled at it. It kind of froze for a moment," he said.

Brown’s son rushed him to the emergency room. "I was bleeding profusely," Brown said. "They gave me a tetanus and stitched up the wounds and cleaned me up a bit and started rabies."

Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement confirmed three attacks, and one attempted attack, against pets and people in that neighborhood. Animal control said someone shot and killed a coyote. "The coyote had come back positive for rabies," said Katrina Helman, Division Director of Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement. "We contacted the victims immediately. We found out right before close of business on Friday. Tuesday morning, we had the flyers that were going out already, we were re-contacting DNR."

What you can do:

To report an animal and arrange pickup, residents can call the Bite Office at 770-339-3200, ext. 5576. After hours, reports can be made to Dispatch non-emergency at 770-513-5700.