Pet coyote caught in Md., euthanized

WASHINGTON — A coyote being kept as a pet was captured near a restaurant in Calvert County on Wednesday, NBC Washington reports.

Animal control caught the coyote running around near Neptune’s in North Beach, Maryland, just after 8 a.m. It was wearing a blue collar, which led police to its owner, NBC Washington reports.

It is illegal to own a coyote in Maryland.

Police said the coyote’s owner got the animal from Virginia as a puppy. The animal had to be euthanized, police said, due to the possible risk of rabies exposure.

Police told NBC Washington that the charges were pending against the owner.

Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

© 2015 WTOP. All Rights Reserved.

Federal News Network Logo

More from WTOP

Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up