Watch out for rabies, especially in the southern part of Arizona where game wardens are investigating three recent cases.
Arizona Game and Fish wardens have suspected foxes in the state's southern region are carrying rabies and said there's a chance the virus has transmitted to nearby coyote packs.
They'll know if rabies tests run on a coyote caught Wednesday comes back positive.
Mark Hart with Arizona Game and Fish said the coyote bit a woman on Monday near Tucson's near west side.
"[It's] very unusual, we don't often get a coyote bite here. Maybe one or two in the whole state, usually in Phoenix where there are more people," said Hart.
Residents, hunters, hikers are being warned not to investigate if they see a dead animal while they're out and about.
"Any dead wildlife you should not touch it and don't let your pet to get close to it even if they've had a rabies vaccine," Hart warned, "because if they have come in contact with a rabid animal dead or not, they are subject to quarantine."
Call Arizona Game and Fish or animal control if you do see a dead animal. The same goes with household pets, he said, if they appear to be acting disoriented, staggering, drooling, or seem extremely thirsty. Extreme aggression in rabid animals will develop in later stages of the disease.
