BUFORD — A coyote that attacked multiple residents and their pets in the Buford area of Gwinnett County has tested positive for rabies, prompting public health officials to warn residents to avoid wildlife and ensure pets are properly vaccinated.
Gwinnett County authorities confirmed the positive rabies test after a series of aggressive encounters reported Dec. 26 and Dec. 27 in and around the Wynfield Point subdivision. At least three incidents involving residents walking dogs were reported near Holland Park Drive, Wyncliff Court and Bennies Way.
Multiple attacks reported
The first incident occurred late Dec. 26 when a resident and their dog were attacked near Holland Park Drive. Two additional attacks were reported early the next morning near Wyncliff Court and Bennies Way. In each case, the coyote displayed aggressive behavior toward people and pets.
One of the victims, Jim Brown, said the coyote charged him while he was walking his 16-year-old Shih Tzu, knocking him to the ground and biting him on his legs and hand before he was able to escape.
“I look five feet away and there’s a coyote, and before I could even think, it was all over,” Brown told Atlanta News First.
Brown was transported to a hospital, where he received antibiotics, a tetanus shot and began the rabies vaccination series.
Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement later captured and euthanized the coyote. Laboratory testing confirmed the animal was infected with rabies.
Public health response
GNR Public Health officials said rabies is a viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically through bites or scratches. Once symptoms appear in humans, rabies is almost always fatal if left untreated.
Health officials are urging residents to avoid contact with wild animals, particularly those that appear unusually aggressive, disoriented or unafraid of people.
Officials recommend residents keep pets current on rabies vaccinations, supervise pets when outdoors, seek immediate medical attention following any animal bite or scratch, and contact public health officials or animal control if exposure is suspected.
Unvaccinated pets exposed to a rabid animal may be subject to a lengthy quarantine period, according to public health guidance.
Ongoing concerns
While rabies cases involving coyotes are uncommon, officials say any encounter with a wild mammal exhibiting abnormal behavior should be taken seriously. Residents in the affected Buford neighborhoods said coyotes are frequently seen in nearby wooded areas, raising concerns about additional encounters.
Gwinnett County officials encourage anyone who observes aggressive or unusual wildlife behavior to contact Animal Welfare and Enforcement or Gwinnett County police non-emergency dispatch.
