WHITE PLAINS - the Westchester County Department of Health is issuing a Rabies Alert to residents who may have had contact with a potentially rabid coyote in the vicinity of Terrace Place in Cortlandt Manor.

A resident reported Monday that on June 7, a coyote attacked two dogs behind her home. The coyote killed a dachshund and came back for the carcass despite being yelled at. The 80-pound shepherd mix required 22 stitches and the owner is being treated as a precaution because she handled the injured dog immediately after the attack and may have been exposed to the coyote’s saliva. The coyote’s aggression and lack of fear of humans can be indicators that the animal is rabid.

As a precaution, residents in the area should not leave young children outside alone, should keep their cats inside and their dogs on leashes when outside, county officials said. All pets should have their rabies vaccinations up to date. If your pet has contact with the coyote, you should wear gloves when handling your pet to avoid contact with the coyote’s saliva.  Anyone who believes they have spotted the coyote should report it to the police and stay away from it.  Children should be taught to avoid wild and stray animals.

All animal bites or contacts with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, 24 hours a day.