Woman attacked by coyote on University of Iowa campus

Investigators were unable to locate the animal or determine what triggered the attack.

IOWA CITY – Investigators are trying to determine what caused a coyote to bite and attack a woman who was walking on the University of Iowa campus Monday.

The attack occurred around 4 p.m. Monday as the woman was walking along the Mormon Handcart Trail, 116 Hawkeye Ct., according to a campus safety alert. The woman reported feeling something bite her on the ankle. When she turned around, the animal lunged at her and began biting and scratching her.

Vince Evelsizer, fur-bearing and wetland biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said investigators believed the victim’s description led them to believe the animal was a coyote, but they were unable to locate the animal.

“The victim is being treated for rabies. She had abrasions, bite marks and cuts to her head, face and upper body and her arm required stitches,” Evelsizer said.

There hasn’t been a recorded case of a coyote attacking a human in Iowa in more than 20 years, but there have been some cases of coyotes attacking small animals, Evelsizer said.

Investigators have two main theories as to why the coyote attacked. The first is that it may have rabies, which is why the victim was given preventative treatment. Rabies would be a concerning explanation because there have been no other recent cases of rabies in dogs in Iowa, and since the animal was not captured, it could spread the disease, Evelsizer said.

The other possible explanation is that it was an adult coyote with a litter of pups nearby and it was defending its litter. But Evelsizer said investigators searched the area and found no evidence of a litter nearby.

The press release lists several safety precautions anyone who is afraid of animal attacks can take, including being aware of their surroundings, not leaving food lying around in the open, and vaccinating pets against rabies.

“Our thoughts are with the victim. We hope she recovers well,” Evelsizer said.

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