1. First, stay safe
Get yourself and other animals to safety. Do not chase, grab or corner the coyote.
START HERE / IMMEDIATE STEPS AFTER A PET INCIDENT
My pet was attacked
Prioritize human safety and veterinary care.
← All Coyote Safety resourcesWhat to do
Our Pet Incident Documentation Worksheet is an optional, printable way to organize the time, general location, what you personally observed, veterinary care, and any agency contact after a pet incident. Keep it for your own records or bring it to a veterinarian or appropriate authority. It is not an official report, is not submitted to AUCA, and does not request an investigation. Prioritize safety and veterinary care before taking notes.
Open printable Pet Incident Documentation Worksheet →
2. Take practical precautions
Contact a veterinarian promptly, including for wounds that appear small. Follow the veterinarian's instructions about urgent treatment and exposure concerns.
3. Consider the situation
Once safe, write down the time, approximate location, observed behavior, and what you personally witnessed. Preserve photos or veterinary records privately; avoid sharing personal addresses publicly.
4. Know where to turn
For an immediate human safety threat call 911; for wildlife incident guidance contact AZGFD or the appropriate local authority.
What the guidance does—and doesn't—establish
AUCA does not dispatch rescuers, investigate incidents, or guarantee agency follow-up.
These are general prevention and safety recommendations, not a diagnosis, a guarantee of effectiveness, or a substitute for professional advice.
Sources and further reading
Arizona wildlife contact: For a coyote acting aggressively toward people, AZGFD lists its 24-hour Communications Center at 623-236-7201. Call 911 for an immediate human safety emergency. AUCA is not a response or dispatch service.
What the source supports
AZGFD directs people to report coyote attacks on humans and to seek immediate medical attention for bites. For an injured pet, seek veterinary assessment. These are safety and care recommendations, not evidence about what caused an incident.
Read the source guidance directly, including any local restrictions and updated agency instructions.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department — Living with Coyotes ↗
- Arizona Game and Fish Department — Living with Wildlife ↗
Source links are provided for independent verification. These links are Arizona agency guidance, not proof of the effectiveness of every intervention. An AUCA printable worksheet is available above; independent research remains under review. Page prepared October 2026.