A mange-ridden coyote has been spotted in Arvada, and city officials are warning the public to take caution and give the animal a wide berth.
Arvada Animal Management has received multiple calls about the coyote in the past few weeks and officials have named the animal “Marcus,” said Dave Snelling, a police spokesman.
Animal management has fielded daily calls the past few weeks about a mangy coyote in the central Arvada area. S/he has been named "Marcus" to help officers keep track of its health/whereabouts (similar to naming a hurricane).
— Arvada Police (@ArvadaPolice)
Marcus has been spotted during the day, in areas around West 58th Avenue and Kipling Parkway. People who spot the coyote are . Area residents walking dogs should have their pets leashed.
“You don’t want to bring this home,” Snelling said of mange, a skin disease caused by parasitic mites. Pets and humans can come down with mange, which causes intense, itchy skin patches. Symptoms include hair loss and a darkening of the skin.
People who see coyotes are urged to “haze” the wildlife, yell to scare it off, so the animals retreat to a more safe and secluded area.
Arvada residents who spot coyotes, or other wildlife, that appear to be sick or injured are asked to call 303-980-7300 to report the sighting.
