Woman bitten by possibly rabid coyote on Westchester hiking trail

A woman was bitten by a possibly rabid coyote on a hiking trail in Westchester County on Wednesday — and now officials are urging residents to be on the lookout and stay vigilant.

The attack unfolded along the Old Croton Aqueduct path near Warburton Avenue in Hastings — a heavily wooded strip inside the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park.

“Anyone who sees the coyote should not approach the animal but should contact police immediately,” warned Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler.

A suspected rabid coyote bit a woman in Hastings, Westchester County, on Wednesday. Mircea Costina – stock.adobe.com

“Make loud noises and slowly back away. Due to its aggressive behavior, the coyote may be rabid. Residents should closely supervise children and pets when outside.”

The victim is undergoing emergency preventative rabies treatment, according to a statement from the Westchester County Health Department.

Cops in Hastings and Dobbs Ferry, along with Greenburgh animal control officers and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police, are scouring the area for the coyote, authorities said.

Rabid animals often show erratic and dangerous behavior, including a sudden lack of fear of humans, unprovoked aggression, or extreme lethargy.

Staggering and foaming at the mouth are also classic warning signs of the potentially deadly virus.

Westchester residents who spot stray or wild animals acting strangely are urged to report it immediately to a health care provider.

Pictured is the Croton Gorge in Westchester County, New York, during the fall. Elisa – stock.adobe.com

All animal bites or contacts with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, 24 hours a day.

Rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets — with regular booster shots — are required by state law.

Earlier this month, officials warned that a rabid fox may have been roaming Staten Island’s Mount Loretto Unique Area, a 241-acre nature preserve on the south shore of the borough, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Troubling city data revealed that rabid raccoons invading the city’s outer boroughs have led to 20 total rabies cases already logged across Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island this year — a pace 57% faster than last year.

By late August, the Big Apple recorded five cases in Brooklyn, six in Queens and a whopping nine in Staten Island — matching the total for all of 2025.