Charging javelina attacks woman taking out the trash with dog, Arizona officials say
A javelina attacked a woman and her dog when she took trash out in Arizona, wildlife officials said.
The animal was spotted Tuesday, April 4, in Tucson, the Arizona Department of Game and Fish said on Twitter.
The javelina first charged at the woman and her dog, then it bit her pet, the wildlife agency’s spokesperson Mark Hart told McClatchy News by email.
She was advised to take her dog to a vet for a rabies booster, Hart said. She had bruises from the attack, officials said.
Do javelinas attack often?
In Tucson, people with dogs are attacked by javelinas every three to six months because the animal may think the dog is a coyote, Hart said.
The best thing to do if you encounter a javelina while dog walking is to turn around, Hart said.
If a javelina begins to charge, you should pick up smaller dogs and make noise by throwing objects, or wave your arms, Hart said.
Fight back or kick the animal if it begins attacking, he said.
“Avoid getting between a javelina and dog, which is how most bites happen,” Hart said.
Hart also said to keep garbage in an enclosed area until pick-up day and to pick up any fallen tree fruit, spilled bird seed and leftover pet food outside.
“Javelina are usually present in a residential area because of attractants,” he said.
Javelinas resemble pigs and are found in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Mexico and South America.
They can weigh between 35 to 60 pounds. Hunting for javelinas in Arizona can only be done with a permit.
This story was originally published April 5, 2023 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Charging javelina attacks woman taking out the trash with dog, Arizona officials say."
