GOODYEAR, Ariz. — It's not unusual for Andrea Eagle to see coyotes while walking her dog in Goodyear.
The coyote the pair encountered on Wednesday morning, however, was unusual.
“There was a gentleman down the path that had told me, ‘Hey, the coyotes are out in the wash this morning,’ and I said, ‘Oh, they always run away from Dae. No big deal,’ and I really thought it was no big deal," Eagle said.
Eagle recorded video of a bold coyote that approached her and her dog, Dae, and would not leave them alone.
“It was literally relentless, following around, circling around us," Eagle said. "I was yelling at it, hollering. It wouldn’t stop.”
Eagle shared the video on Facebook to warn others of the bold behavior.
Some people commented that the coyote seemed playful, but Eagle said it was anything but.
“I don’t know if there was something wrong with it or why was it being so aggressive towards Dae, especially because he’s so big," Eagle said.
Arizona Game and Fish warns people should never ignore coyotes if they seem them in their neighborhoods, because the animal could lose its natural fear of humans and display bold behavior.
The agency recommends people scare coyotes away by making loud noises and keeping eye contact.
Eagle said she repeatedly tried this, but it didn't work.
Arizona Game and Fish said using a repellent may work on bold animals that refuse to leave — something Eagle said she wished she had with her at the time.
“I have pepper spray, a body alarm and then I ordered an air horn and I’ll have all of that on me every time I leave the house no matter when or where," Eagle said.
Eagle and Dae eventually were able to escape with the help of another man in the park.
“We see a lot of things around here and this is the first time in four years I’ve seen something like this," Eagle said. “They’re a wild animal. So, big dog, little dog, you, just protect yourself and leave the house prepared.”
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