State and local officials are searching for a coyote that attacked a woman just outside West Salem after its pack approached her last Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 11.The woman was walking alone on Northwest Orchard Heights Road, just outside the city limits, when a group of coyotes approached her, acco rding to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Adam Baylor. Baylor did not know how many coyotes were in the group, but confirmed there were multiple.One coyote attacked, and bit her on the upper thigh, Baylor said.The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. He declined to provide an exact location of the attack, citing the victim’s privacy. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office first responded to the scene and informed the state department shortly after.  The woman was treated by medics for minor injuries at the scene and released, according to an ODFW statement. Baylor said the department is working with the sheriff’s office and the city of Salem to locate the coyote.  While coyote sightings are not uncommon throughout Oregon, Baylor said “it is rare and unfortunate when something like this happens and they actually attack someone.” Coyotes can be found in urban areas like Salem and can be seen during the day, the release said. The woman was bitten a little over an hour before sunset, according to weather records. “She was going for a walk alone, without a dog, when she was approached by the coyotes. There was no obvious motivation but the coyotes were likely somewhat habituated to living among people,” Baylor said.  Coyote attacks are often associated with feeding, according to the department. Feeding coyotes is illegal in Oregon, and could cause them to become aggressive and approach people. “I know that anytime somebody feeds wildlife, it’s going to cause a problem,” Baylor said. Coyotes primarily feed on rodents, fruit and nuts, but are opportunistic and may consume food waste, pet food and sometimes small pets, such as outdoor cats.  Officials recommend people in the area monitor young children and pets in the Orchard Heights area, and remove anything outdoors that could attract coyotes, like unsecured garbage, pet food or fallen fruit.  To deter “bold” coyotes, officials recommend scaring them off with loud noises like yelling, using air horns and banging pots and pans, or by throwing objects. State officials alerted neighbors and nearby schools of the incident and offered safety recommendations.  Kalapuya Elementary School and Straub Middle School sent emails Wednesday, Feb. 18, to students and families about the incident, according to Salem-Keizer School District spokesman Aaron Harada.  Harada couldn’t immediately produce a copy of that email to Salem Reporter, but shared a past email from Kalapuya Principal Greg Watson after reported coyote sightings. It recommended that families supervise children on their way to school, never approach coyotes and leave the area if one approaches a person or pet. ODFW officials interviewed the victim in the days after the attack and collected evidence. Baylor said DNA was taken from the woman’s clothing, and will be used to identify the coyote who attacked her, if one is found in the area.  “If there’s actual coyote DNA there, we’ll be able to use that if we do capture a coyote in the days to come,” Baylor said. “It’s typical of a response like this that ODFW and local law enforcement or state troopers respond, and typically, we’ll try to capture any offending animals and remove them or euthanize them.” Baylor said euthanasia is the most common response to aggressive wild animals in Oregon. “In the state of Oregon, we typically don’t relocate animals. Evidence shows that it is very likely that animals do return or they adjust their behaviors so that they can continue to be around humans and act aggressive, so a lot of times, we just need to euthanize the animal,” he said. People can report concerning or aggressive coyote behavior toward humans or pets to the department at 541-757-4186. People should call 911 to report attacks. Have a news tip? Contact reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected] . LOCAL NEWS DELIVERED TO YOU: Subscribe to Salem Reporter and get all the fact-based Salem news that matters to you. Fair, accurate, trusted – SUBSCRIBE The post Search underway for coyote that attacked West Salem woman in daytime appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less