A woman is alright after she was chased by a coyote that nipped at her legs and punctured the skin.
Yukon conservation officers put out an advisory Tuesday reminding the public to be aware of their surroundings when walking in greenbelt areas in Whitehorse.
On Monday morning around 6 a.m. the woman, who has not been identified, was jogging by herself along the trail system near Pine St., in the vicinity of McIntyre Creek.
There was very little light and she was wearing a headlamp, conservation officer Kevin Johnstone said.
When she came upon a coyote she tried to skirt around it and continue jogging, Johnstone said. The coyote followed.
“Of course it turned into a bit of a run when the thing started to pursue her.”
At one point the animal did make contact with the woman’s legs and punctured the skin.
She continued to run and eventually crossed the bridge over McIntyre Creek near Yukon College. The coyote didn’t follow.
She was shaken by what happen but not badly injured, Johnstone said. She was treated at Whitehorse General Hospital and released.
Conservation officers will be patrolling the area where the incident happened to keep an eye on things, Johnstone said.
For animals like coyotes it can be instinctual to chase things that are running, he said. It’s a predator versus prey reaction.
The best response in this type of situation is not to run, he said.
Instead a person should back away slowly while maintaining eye contact and shouting.
It’s also a good idea to carry bear spray when walking in the greenbelt areas and to make sure pets are on a leash.
Yukon Environment offers more advice on its website at www.env.gov.yk.ca.