1. First, stay safe
Keep your distance and move children and pets away. Do not touch, feed, trap, or transport the animal.
START HERE / RESPONDING WITHOUT HANDLING WILDLIFE
I found a sick or injured coyote
Appearance alone cannot establish the cause of illness or injury.
← All Coyote Safety resourcesWhat to do
2. Take practical precautions
Observe only from a safe place. Record objective details such as movement, visible wounds, time and location without trying to diagnose.
3. Consider the situation
Contact AZGFD or an appropriate wildlife authority for instructions; not every wildlife rehabilitator is authorized or equipped to accept coyotes.
4. Know where to turn
For immediate danger to people call 911. For bites or possible exposure, seek prompt medical advice.
What the guidance does—and doesn't—establish
Hair loss or unusual behavior does not prove mange, distemper, poisoning, or any particular diagnosis.
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 discusses mange, distemper and rabies as different wildlife health concerns. Similar visible signs can have multiple explanations; photographs alone do not establish a diagnosis.
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.