Another Coyote Captured, Dens Found After Norwood, NJ Man Is Bitten

NORWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Police Monday night might have been closing in on a coyote that bit a man in Bergen County, New Jersey over the weekend.

Norwood police said they captured a coyote Monday night, they were not sure whether it was the same animal that attacked Stephen Sinisi after 9 p.m. Sunday. Police said they believe the coyote captured Monday night was actually part of a different pack, but was described as "very aggressive."

Norwood police said they also put traps near two coyote dens they discovered Monday night near a school.

Sinisi said he was walking his dog, Raleigh, near the woods on McClellan Street and D'Ercole Court when he saw what he thought was a stray dog approaching.

More: Information on rabies | CDC | 5 Things You May Not Know About Rabies

"I was walking back and what looked like a dog approaching me," Sinisi told CBS2's Meg Baker.

"Then we got closer I was like, 'No, this is not a stray dog,'" he told 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet.

Sinisi was attacked as he tried to get his dog back into the house.

"He saw a coyote stalking him, and he decided to return home," police Chief Jeff Krapels said, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported. "As he was running home, the coyote caught up to him as he got to his front door and bit him on the leg."

"I didn't think he would come up this close to be honest," Sinisi told Baker.

"I didn't even see its face, I didn't see anything, I just felt it, it's like a clamp," said Sinisi, who immediately went to the hospital to get rabies shots.

Police received nine coyote sighting calls on Sunday, Baker reported.

"Children and small dogs...keep all dogs inside until we can eradicate this problem," said Norwood Police Chief Jeffrey Krapels.

Krapels said he saw a coyote in his own backyard Sunday.

And a police officer in nearby Old Tappan encountered a coyote that attacked his car, biting the tire.

"At this point, we want to also urge people probably in that neighborhood not to go out and walk their dogs and to stay home and stay safe until the situation is resolved," Norwood Mayor James Barsa said.

"My dog was acting funny last night and I wasn't sure what it was," a neighbor told Baker. "It could have been that she was aware of what was going on -- they have a better sense than us."

Concerned about whether or not the coyote is rabid, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife are setting up traps in the area.

John Nesti with Fischer Wildlife believes the coyote was protecting its den.

Nesti described the traps being used. "It's just a cable. It's almost like you put the dog on a leash -- you set in a trail and it's designed to catch an animal around the body. It's got a relaxing lock and will hold animal until you get there."

A coyote that tested positive for rabies was euthanized after it attacked a man in Saddle River earlier this month.

This is the second coyote attack in Bergen County this month.

John Zeug, 77, said he was gardening in his yard when the coyote attacked. He suffered three puncture wounds to his leg and immediately started rabies post-exposure vaccination.

If you spot a coyote, call local police or 911.

In:
• Sean Adams