Posted on 10/06/2005 12:18:57 PM PDT by billorites
A Northboro grandfather out for a hike yesterday tackled an attacking coyote to save his grandson's life.
The 76-year-old man was first attacked from behind by the wild animal and then put it in a choke hold when it lunged for his neck.
Police say Arthur Cole's bravery allowed his 4-year-old grandson to run to safety.
The boy then alerted family nearby. The boy told everyone ``a wolf'' got ``Grampy.''
Family members called 911 and they all descended upon the path along the Assabet River a quarter-mile away from the grandfather's home.
``We got there and found the guy on top of the animal,'' firefighter Jamie Desautels said. ``The guy basically saved his grandson.''
Firefighters used an animal snare to restrain the female coyote, which was still biting Cole, fire officials said.
``He stayed pretty calm; he did well,'' said Desautels. Police then killed the coyote.
``We basically choked the animal to death,'' Northboro Police Sgt. James Bruce said, adding they couldn't shoot the animal because Cole's arm was under the coyote's head.
The grandfather suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the 4:30 p.m. attack, according to police.
He was taken to Marlboro Hospital.
The dead coyote was taken to Tufts Veterinary School in Westboro for testing to determine whether it was rabid.
Cole, a lifelong Northboro resident and chairman of the town's trail committee, sustained about eight bites and needed some stitches, family members said.
``He is going to be fine,'' his son, Peter Cole, said.
``It was traumatic but we survived.''
The rabies vaccines are no longer a series of shots in the stomach. It is injected into the arm and really isn't bad (for a shot) at all.
Isn't it pretty unusual for a coyote to attack a human, a large one anyway?
Hope the coyote wasn't rabid. I am glad the 4 year old wasn't hurt! Brave grandpa! : )
Massachusetts coyote...worst kind. Very liberal.
I used to run that path while I lived up that way. I knew there were coyotes, but never saw one.
Sounds very frightening! I was under the impression that a coyote would never attach an adult human because coyotes are so small, but several FReepers changed my opinion in a thread a few months back by citing many examples of coyotes growing large and aggressive.
All the ones I've ever seen were puny, and intimidated by me.
Now that's a Kick @ss Grampa! Good for him!
attach = attack :)
So says you. We had to go to the county health department, pay for and take custody of the vaccine(s). Then take it to our physician, pay for the office visits. It is intramuscular injected. The series does take two weeks, and is NOT just one little shot in the arm. 4 in each Glute, 2 in each arm. When the tests came back on the critter (feral cat), it was not rabid. But you still start and finish the series.
The eastern coyote is considerably larger than its southwestern cousin. The largest individuals are as big as smaller timber wolves. Adults range from 35-45 pounds and some large males may exceed 50 or 60 pounds in body weight.
Source: click for link to source
got a couple around here that are almost the size of german shepherds. unfortunately i only even see them during small game season (while carrying my buckmark) or during bow season.
Wonder if PETA will file a lawsuit against Gramps and the cops?
Not anymore. I read they are in every state of the lower 48 now and getting very aggressive. We have them scope us out while we let the dog out at night. A pellet in the butt usually sends them on their way . . . They are nasty critters.
I'm sorry that your experience was so bad. My family in 1993 had a series of five injections in the muscle of the arm. This was prophalactic since we were going into a wilderness area.
Coyotes have become emboldend like many other predators now that they are increasingly protected..
From time to time you must fill the air with the scent of their own kinds blood...then they get the message and have their proper fear of man and man's children.
Here... read the stuff on Freeper Varmint Al 's website if you have a moment to spare.
I have been told that if you ever find yourself involved in dealing with a rabid animal, try not to shoot it in the head if possible. One quick way of telling if the animal is rabid is to examine the brain. Otherwise, anyone who gets bit has to get the rabies vaccine injections. Can anyone confirm this?
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