A coyote near Siwanoy Country Club attacked three people and two dogs on March 9. It tested positive for rabies the next day. Eastchester Police located and killed the animal.
The Short Version
This Pristine Pest news report revisits a story that made headlines in March. It matters again now, heading into the season when Westchester's wildlife conflicts typically climb. A coyote attacked three people and two dogs near Siwanoy Country Club.
The attack spanned the Eastchester and Bronxville area on March 9, 2026. Eastchester Police located and killed the animal.
The Westchester County Health Department confirmed rabies the next day. The county later marked June as Rabies Awareness Month. That's a reminder this wasn't an isolated incident.
What Happened Near Siwanoy Country Club
The attacks unfolded in a residential, golf-course-adjacent area. That's the kind of suburban-wildland edge that defines much of Westchester. Two dogs and three people were attacked before police located and euthanized the animal.
Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler issued this year's West Nile virus advisory too. She addressed residents directly once the positive rabies test came back.
Dr. Sherlita Amler, Westchester County Health Commissioner: "To avoid rabies, residents should steer clear of wild animals and strays and teach children never to approach or handle animals they do not know, even if they appear young, injured or friendly."
Rabies Doesn't Stay Contained to One Incident
A single confirmed case rarely means a single exposed animal. County health departments treat a positive rabies test as a signal to keep searching.
Officials warned there could be other coyotes in the area. Residents were told to keep young children and pets from being left unattended in yards. Extra precautions were urged while walking dogs in the weeks that followed.
Rabies is fatal once symptoms appear, in both animals and people. It's also entirely preventable with prompt post-exposure treatment. That's why the county pushes reporting any bite or scratch immediately, rather than waiting.
Why Fall Is the Season to Watch
The Siwanoy incident happened in March. But the underlying pattern repeats every year as summer turns to fall.
Young wildlife, coyote pups, raccoon kits, fox kits, leave their mothers each fall. They disperse to find their own territory. That pushes inexperienced, food-motivated animals into unfamiliar ground, including residential yards.
At the same time, many species intensify their search for winter denning sites. They check sheds, crawlspaces, and chimneys they'd otherwise ignore.
Westchester's licensed wildlife control service exists for exactly this overlap. It handles humane removal and exclusion for raccoons, bats, groundhogs, and skunks. These animals increasingly treat homes as denning sites once natural options run short each fall.
Is Your Property Set Up for a Fall Wildlife Conflict?
The same conditions that draw wildlife toward homes every fall usually sit in plain sight. Check what's currently true of yours.
What This Means for Westchester Homeowners
The Siwanoy case resolved with the animal located and euthanized. But the conditions that put wildlife in contact with people don't resolve on their own. Secured trash, no outdoor pet food, and sealed entry points are the same fundamentals everywhere.
That applies to a coyote near a golf course or a raccoon in a soffit. Sightings of unfamiliar animals acting normally are usually not cause for alarm. Animals that appear disoriented, aggressive, or oddly active in daylight are worth reporting immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with the rabid coyote in Eastchester and Bronxville?
On March 9, a coyote near Siwanoy Country Club attacked three people and two dogs. Eastchester Police located and killed the animal. The health department confirmed rabies the next day.
Is rabies common in Westchester County wildlife?
Rabies cases occur in Westchester every year, most often in bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Coyote cases are less frequent, but not unheard of. The county tests exposed animals and typically confirms a low double-digit number of cases annually.
Why does wildlife conflict increase in the fall in Westchester?
Young wildlife born in spring disperse from their mothers each fall to find territory. Many species also intensify their search for winter shelter as temperatures drop. Both patterns push more wildlife into contact with homes, sheds, and attics.
What should homeowners do to reduce wildlife conflict risk?
Secure trash cans with tight-fitting lids, and bring pet food and water indoors overnight. Seal gaps larger than an inch and a half around the foundation, soffits, and chimney. Never approach or feed wild animals, even ones that appear young, injured, or unusually calm.
Sources
- Talk of the Sound: Suspected Rabid Coyote Attacks Two Dogs, Three People in Eastchester; Police Kill Animal (March 10, 2026)
- Westchester County Department of Health: Rabies Alert, Suspected Rabid Coyote Reported in Eastchester/Bronxville Area
- NBC New York: Coyote That Attacked 3 People, 6 Dogs in Westchester County Tests Positive for Rabies
- Yonkers Times: Westchester County Health Department Marks Rabies Awareness Month in June
Last updated: August 8, 2026
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