A coyote killed in Cheltenham had rabies, police say
Cheltenham police had responded last week to reports that an aggressive coyote was attacking residents in the Wyncote area.
A coyote killed by Cheltenham police last week was rabid, the police department announced Wednesday.
Cheltenham police responded to reports of an aggressive coyote in the Wyncote area but were initially unable to find the animal, until someone reported a coyote attacking a resident and their dog at Curtis Dog Park on Friday.
Cheltenham Township Police Chief Richard Schaffer said the animal was “humanely dispatched” but declined to say how.
Police are advising township residents who have had contact with a coyote to seek medical or veterinary care.
The incident marks the fifth rabies case in Montgomery County this year, according to the state’s rabies tracking dashboard, and the first in a coyote.
The other four cases were identified in two raccoons, a skunk, and a cat.
Cheltenham officers will continue to work with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to monitor the area, and advised residents who see wildlife acting erratically to call 911.
Inquirer Greater Abington
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