Concerning the coyote remains supposed to have been left behind Logan Martin Veterinarian Clinic as reported in the St. Clair Times (Nov. 25).
The reported information pertaining to the rabid coyote to the St. Clair Times by Dr. Larry Chasteen and his staff is incorrect.
On Oct. 26, the coyote was killed on our property on U.S. 411. Due to the strange behavior of the coyote we had concerns, therefore, we contacted our local vet who instructed us to call the Humane Society in Pell City, who then instructed us to call the St. Clair Health Department in Pell City.
The Health Department gave instructions for us to make delivery of the coyote remains to Logan Martin Veterinarian Clinic. It was hand delivered to one of his staff members, along with my name and telephone number, also verbally giving them the location of my residence.
It is of deep concern to me that the clinic lost our information and we were not informed that the coyote tested positive for rabies. Upon hearing of a coyote testing positive in the Pell City area on one of our local TV channels, I called the clinic on Nov. 18 to see if it was the coyote that I had delivered. Information released to me that day was it was the same coyote my wife had delivered to the clinic.
Since Nov. 18, I have read reports of the rabid coyote being killed in the Pell City area; Cropwell area; and Ashville area. The before stated information of the location and the coyote chasing livestock is incorrect. The only thing that indicated something was wrong with the coyote was its behavior and extreme emaciated condition.
People in the direct vicinity should have received the correct information of the location of a coyote testing positive. A large number of families in the area have small children and need to be aware of the reported rabies case.
We were notified by a telephone call on Nov. 19, and a letter from the St. Clair County Health Department dated Nov. 19, stating the Alabama State Health Department requires that any person or persons exposed or possibly exposed to an animal that is capable of harboring the rabies virus be examined by a licensed physician to determine exposure. Please note that we would not have known to contact our physician if we had not contacted the clinic, who then contacted the health department.
— Larry Layton, Ashville
