Coyote Attacks Woman in West Salem

Authorities search for coyote that bit woman on upper thigh during daytime encounter

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A woman was attacked and bitten by a coyote while walking alone on a road just outside of West Salem on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 11. The coyote was among a group that approached the woman, and officials from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are now working with local law enforcement to locate the animal.

Why it matters

Coyote sightings are not uncommon in urban areas like Salem, but attacks on humans are rare. This incident raises concerns about coyote behavior and the need for public awareness and safety measures to prevent future attacks, especially in residential areas.

The details

The woman was walking alone on Northwest Orchard Heights Road when a group of coyotes approached her around 4:30 pm. One of the coyotes attacked and bit her on the upper thigh. The woman was treated for minor injuries at the scene and released. Officials are collecting DNA evidence from the victim's clothing to help identify the coyote if it is captured.

  • The attack occurred around 4:30 pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The woman was bitten a little over an hour before sunset that day.

The players

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

The state agency responsible for managing wildlife, including coyotes, and responding to incidents involving aggressive animals.

Polk County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that first responded to the scene and notified the state wildlife department.

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What they’re saying

“While coyote sightings are not uncommon throughout Oregon, it is rare and unfortunate when something like this happens and they actually attack someone.”

— Adam Baylor, ODFW spokesman (salemreporter.com)

“If there's actual coyote DNA there, we'll be able to use that if we do capture a coyote in the days to come. It's typical of a response like this that ODFW and local law enforcement or state troopers respond, and typically, we'll try to capture any offending animals and remove them or euthanize them.”

— Adam Baylor, ODFW spokesman (salemreporter.com)

What’s next

Officials are continuing to search the area for the coyote that attacked the woman, and will use any DNA evidence collected to identify the animal if it is captured.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for increased public awareness and safety measures around coyotes, even in urban areas. Residents are advised to monitor children and pets, remove potential food sources, and report any aggressive coyote behavior to authorities to prevent future attacks.