A woman suffered minor injuries after being bitten by a coyote last Wednesday during a walk along Orchard Heights Road outside West Salem, according to officials. She was treated at the scene and released. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has launched an investigation and is coordinating with local law enforcement, while neighbors and nearby schools were notified as wildlife officials canvassed the area and urged parents and pet owners to remain cautious outdoors.
ODFW response and neighbor alerts
According to KATU, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to the report. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife later joined the effort, interviewing witnesses, reviewing evidence, and sharing information with nearby residents and a school.
"Residents in the Orchard Heights area and surrounding neighborhoods are strongly encouraged to monitor young children and pets while outside, scare away coyotes... and immediately remove any attractants," ODFW said in a statement. The agency also reminded the public that feeding coyotes is unlawful and urged people to report concerning behavior to its tip line. According to ODFW, the victim’s injuries were minor and she was checked and released on site.
How residents can reduce risk
Wildlife experts stress that the first line of defense is keeping coyotes from getting too comfortable around homes. That means removing food attractants, securing garbage and never leaving pet food outdoors so animals are not drawn into yards.
The Portland Urban Coyote Project recommends "hazing" bold animals with loud noises, airhorns or banging pots to remind them that people are something to avoid, not approach. If someone is bitten or has any exposure, Polk County Public Health advises seeking medical care, filing an animal-bite report and reviewing tetanus and rabies guidance from local health officials. More details are available from the Portland Urban Coyote Project and Polk County.
Where it happened and what agencies are doing
The incident occurred along Orchard Heights Road just outside the West Salem city limits. As reported by KATU, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene on Feb. 11.
ODFW staff told neighbors they have been in contact with the City of Salem and other partners to determine next steps. For now, the response is focused on monitoring the situation and boosting public education about living around wildlife, rather than removing animals. KATU reports that agency crews have been leaving notices in the area and advising residents on how to behave safely around coyotes.
What Oregon law allows
State law gives wildlife officers specific tools when animals become too comfortable around people. Under Oregon Legislature statute ORS 496.731, officers can issue written notifications requiring people to remove food, garbage or other attractants that may lure bears, cougars, coyotes or wolves. The rule is part of a broader effort to keep wildlife wild and reduce public-safety risks.
Officials are asking anyone who sees aggressive or otherwise concerning coyote behavior to report it to ODFW at 541-757-4186, and to call 911 in an emergency. They emphasize that supervising small children, keeping pets indoors or on short leashes at dawn and dusk, and removing attractants remain the most practical steps communities can take to lower the odds of another close call.
