Altamonte Springs, Fla. – A man was attacked by coyotes while walking his service dog in a neighborhood on Wednesday night.
Chris Mack was taking his 3-year-old service dog for a regular evening walk along Leatherwood Drive in the Country Creek neighborhood when he noticed several coyotes coming toward him from a nearby yard.
“At first, everything seemed normal until we got to this corner,” Mack said.
Mack suffered injuries to his face, arm, and hand as he tried to fight off the coyotes. He said he had no other choice but to defend himself.
“When one of them got close, I started swinging,” Mack recalled. “One of its teeth scraped my hand.”
During the attack, Mack was mainly worried about his dog, who ran away but eventually returned to him.
After the incident, Mack called for an ambulance and was taken to a nearby hospital. Doctors checked him and ensured he was vaccinated against rabies.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed they are aware of the attack and are currently investigating. The agency reminded the public to report any wildlife encounters. According to their website, coyotes are usually shy and avoid humans, but sightings and interactions in Florida have been increasing.
Local resident Daniel Vhets urged his neighbors to stay cautious.
“Keep an eye on your kids because coyotes can grab them, and you might not even realize it,” he warned.
Authorities are advising residents to stay alert and report any unusual animal behavior to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
