DURHAM, NC (Tuesday, November 19, 2024) – Durham County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services deputies have been on the lookout for a reported injured coyote in the Parkwood area of south Durham County for several days. “Calls started to come in a few days ago,”said Animal Services Captain Mark Manning. “Residents of the area kept seeing the animal, which appeared to be in distress because of a plastic bottle or jar on its head. With the object covering its mouth, it was clear it had been unable to eat or drink for some time.”

In response to these sightings, deputies went to the neighborhood on multiple occasions but could not locate it.On Monday afternoon, a resident on Grandale Dr. spotted the critter again. Thankfully, this time, deputies were able to locate and corral it. Once they were close enough, they used a “catch pole” to restrain it and remove the clear plastic jar from its head. After a visual inspection, they did not observeany injuries, so they safely released it back into the wild.

“These Animal Services deputies used their training and compassion to create a positive outcome for this animal and the members of the community concerned about its fate,”said Sheriff Clarence Birkhead. “workingin this division is a calling, and Animal Servicesconsistently goes above and beyond toaid to the animals of Durham County and their humans.”

The Durham County Sheriff's Office wants to remind people that if they see an animal in distress, don't approach it. Call us at 919-560-0900 or callNorth Carolina Wildlife’s Helpline at 866-318-2401 (Mon-Fri. 8 am- 5 pm) or the Wildlife Enforcement Division at 800-662-7137 outside of business hours. You could do permanent harm to the animal or be injured yourself if you attempt to render aid.

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EDITORS: video of the release is below.