SIERRA VISTA, Arizona — A coatimundi attack left a hiker scratched and bitten in Ash Canyon south of Sierra Vista on March 23, 2025, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office reported. The man had been hiking alone and got back to his car around midday when he spotted the animal on his hood. He tried shouting and waving his arms to get it to leave, but that didn’t work out.
The coatimundi yanked off a windshield wiper, then hopped down and charged at the hiker, clawing and biting him before he could jump into his vehicle. He made it inside, but not before taking some nasty cuts and bites that sent him to a Sierra Vista hospital. Doctors there gave him a rabies shot to be safe, and he’s set to head home to Tucson once they say he’s good.
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office reached out to a USDA Wildlife Specialist to track down the animal, but it was gone when they got there. The specialist’s going back late tonight or early tomorrow to look again. If they catch it, they’ll test it for rabies, a real concern after a bite like that. Sheriff Mark J. Dannels’ team is telling folks in rural spots like Ash Canyon to watch out and not mess with wild animals.
Ash Canyon’s a favorite for hikers—lots of trails and open land—but coatimundis, those raccoon-like critters with sharp claws, don’t usually go after people. The sheriff’s office isn’t sure yet if this one’s sick or just mad, but they’re keeping on it.
