MAHWAH — Barriers and signs have been erected to keep visitors out of the closed Ramapo Valley County Reservation as officials continue to search for the coyote that attacked a woman and a dog last weekend.

Bergen County parks employees secured the reservation, just south of the New York-New Jersey border, and are searching for the animal, county spokesman Michael Pagan confirmed on Wednesday.

A woman and a dog were injured last weekend in separate attacks at the park. It was not clear whether the same animal was responsible for the two attacks.

Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the Division of Fish & Wildlife, said the search is for an aggressive coyote.

"Coyotes are not aggressive animals, so when a coyote attacks a person it is assumed the animal is probably ill and probably has rabies," Hajna said.

If captured, the animal will be destroyed and tested for rabies, Hajna said.

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Fish & Wildlife issues the following guidelines for minimizing and dealing with aggressive coyote encounters:

Do not put food outside for coyotes or their prey, including feral cats.

Tightly secure garbage containers left outside.

Remove water sources, especially in dry climates.

Bring pets in at night.

Put away bird feeders, which attract rodents and other coyote prey.

Secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry and other farm animals.

Monitor children and pets outside.

Install motion sensors on outdoor lighting.

Clear brush that provides protective cover for coyotes and their prey.

Make loud noises and throw rocks if coyotes approach.

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