A woman was bitten by a coyote suspected of being rabid while walking along a hiking trail in Hastings, Westchester County, on Wednesday, prompting a search for the animal and a public warning from health officials.
The attack happened on the Old Croton Aqueduct path near Warburton Avenue, within the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park, a wooded corridor popular with local hikers.
According to the Westchester County Health Department, the victim is now undergoing emergency preventative rabies treatment.
Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler urged anyone who encounters the coyote not to approach it.
“Anyone who sees the coyote should not approach the animal but should contact police immediately,” Dr. Amler said. “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.”
Police in Hastings and Dobbs Ferry are searching the area for the coyote, joined by Greenburgh animal control officers and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Health officials note that rabid animals can display unusual behavior, including sudden aggression, an unexpected lack of fear around people, or extreme lethargy. Staggering and foaming at the mouth are also classic symptoms of the virus.
Residents who see stray or wild animals behaving strangely are urged to contact a health care provider right away. Any bite or suspected exposure to a rabid animal should be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, which operates around the clock.
State law requires dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies, with regular booster shots.
Part of a Broader Pattern
The Hastings incident follows other recent rabies concerns in the region. Earlier this month, officials warned that a rabid fox may be roaming Staten Island’s Mount Loretto Unique Area, a 241-acre nature preserve on the borough’s south shore, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
City data has also shown a rise in rabies cases tied to raccoons in New York City’s outer boroughs, with 20 cases recorded so far this year across Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island — a pace 57% faster than last year. By late August, the city had logged five cases in Brooklyn, six in Queens and nine in Staten Island, already matching the borough’s total for all of 2025.
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