TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is searching for a coyote they say attacked a man at his Saddlebrooke-area home on Monday, Nov. 25.
According to an AZGFD social media post, the man was in the garage of his home in the 61000 block of E. Redwood Ct. when a coyote bit him on his leg. The man received medical care.
On Monday, a SaddleBrooke homeowner was bitten by a coyote while cleaning his garage.
“Out of nowhere, the coyote entered the garage, bit him on the leg, and briefly retreated to the car before leaving the scene,” said Mark Hart, public information officer for the department. Authorities are now searching for the animal to test for rabies.
Pima County leads the state in confirmed rabies cases, a statistic attributed to increased reporting and a surge in common carriers like skunks and foxes.
“We’ve posted a photo of the coyote. It may be sluggish or moving slowly, but as rabies progresses, symptoms become more pronounced,” Hart explained.
The department is advising residents to manage trash carefully to deter wildlife, particularly javelinas.
“You should not take your garbage out until the day of pickup,” Hart said. “A javelina can easily knock over a tall garbage can, especially with leftover food from Thanksgiving.”
Longtime SaddleBrooke resident Linda DeWitt echoed the caution. “I prep my trash well and never leave it out the night before,” she said, adding that she’s learned to protect her home from wildlife over the years.
Residents are encouraged to report any unusual animal behavior and to stay informed through local resources.
AZGFD says the coyote may be moving slowly and possibly has rabies. If neighbors spot the coyote in the Saddlebrooke area, they should avoid contact and call (623) 236-7201.
KGUN 9 will have more on this story later today in our evening newscasts.
