Coyote attacks man, bites his arm

BROOMFIELD - A coyote lunged at a man and bit him on the arm as he was walking his dogs Monday night, according to the Broomfield Police Department.

Police say it happened around 8:15 p.m. as the 38-year-old man was in the Trails Park area of Broomfield.

Police say as the man reached the south edge of the park, he dropped one of the dog's leashes and started throwing a toy so the dog could run and get it up and down a hill. The other dog stayed with the man on a leash.

The dog running to get the toy stopped at the top of the hill and then started chasing after a coyote.

While the man was looking for his dog, another coyote lunged at him, biting him on the arm. Police say the man was able to fend off the coyote, but had minor scratches and a bite mark on his arm.

Neither dog was injured.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife was told and plans to investigate.

The Broomfield Police Department routinely provides the following tips regarding coyotes:

- Always supervise your pet when outside, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Never leave cats or dogs outside after dark.
- If you must leave your pet outside, secure it in a fully enclosed kennel.
- Never allow your pets to "play" with a coyote or other wildlife.
- Pick up small pets if confronted by a coyote.
- Keep pets on a 6-foot leash when walking.
- Remove attractants from your yard, including pet food, water sources, bird feeders, and fallen fruit.
- Secure trash in a container with a locking lid and put the trash out on the morning of the scheduled pick-up.
- Never feed coyotes.
- If you meet a coyote, frighten it away by yelling, throwing rocks and sticks at it, spraying it with a hose or a vinegar-filled water gun or banging pots and pans.