Fairfax County officials are warning residents in the Great Falls area to watch out for a potentially rabid coyote.
The coyote reportedly attacked multiple pet dogs and at least one person in and around neighborhoods along Utterback Store Road and Streamview Court during the day last Thursday, June 18, the Fairfax County Health Department said in an advisory issued Tuesday (June 23).
“Despite an extensive search, the animal was not found, and rabies cannot be ruled out as a reason for the attacks,” the FCHD said.
The person and dogs all sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Fairfax County Department of Animal Services, which manages the county’s animal shelter and animal control programs.
“The pets were evaluated and treated at an emergency veterinary clinic,” department communications manager Thomas Fitzpatrick told FFXnow.
According to Fitzpatrick, the county hasn’t received any more calls about a coyote since the June 18 attacks, though if the animal had contracted rabies, it likely died within a few days after displaying symptoms of the fatal disease.
Anyone who might have been bitten, touched or scratched by a wild animal is advised to contact the health department’s rabies program at 703-256-2433.
If a pet might’ve come into contact with a wild animal, residents can contact the Department of Animal Services at 703-691-2131.
According to the county, coyotes are an important part of the local ecosystem, helping control rodents and other wildlife, and conflicts involving pets or humans are rare. However, the animals can pose a danger to loose dogs and cats, which can be viewed as either a territorial threat or prey:
Most incidents between coyotes and pets in Fairfax County involve unattended dogs, dogs that are not on a leash and are running loose, and cats that are allowed to free roam.
As members of the canine family, coyotes are territorial and may view large dogs as competition or a threat. Coyotes may also consider small pets including cats and small dogs as prey due to their similar size to natural wildlife prey.
Conflicts with coyotes can happen year-round but are more likely during coyote mating season (January-March) and when coyotes are protecting their pups (March-August).
To keep pets safe, dogs should be kept on a leash, as legally required, and cats shouldn’t be allowed to roam freely outside, the county says. Other steps community members can take include ensuring pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations, removing outdoor food sources and avoiding areas where coyote activity has been reported, particularly during the mating and birthing seasons.
If you do encounter a coyote, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources recommends calmly backing away without running. If the animal approaches, wildlife officials say to yell and wave your arms, use a whistle or other noisemaker, toss small sticks and rocks toward it, or spray water if it’s available.
While the cause of the coyote attacks in Great Falls hasn’t been confirmed, Fairfax County typically identifies between 40 and 60 animals every year infected with rabies. Cases reported so far in 2026 have included a cat in Huntington and a kitten caught near Poplar Ford Park in Centreville.
Photo via John Bell on Unsplash
