Coyote that attacked musician Taylor Mitchell tests negative for rabies

Preliminary tests done on one of the coyotes that attacked and killed folk singer Taylor Mitchell last week showed no signs of rabies in the animal.

Mitchell was hiking alone at Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada, when she was savagely attacked by two coyotes.

The 19-year-old Toronto resident was airlifted to a Halifax hospital in critical condition. She died the following day.

The coyote tested was killed by park officials and is believed to have been one of the two that had bitten Mitchell. Its carcass was sent to the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island to try to determine why the animals attacked.

Sadly, it may never be known why the coyotes attacked Mitchell, nor what individuals should do if confronted by the animals. The Parks Canada website describes the eastern coyote as a species that has interbred with wolves, which may give some insight as to the predatory behavior exhibited rather than the shy nature usually seen in coyotes.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Taylor Mitchell. Credit: city of Toronto

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