Chase continues for coyote with head stuck in jar

A coyote with its head stuck in a plastic jar was leading Seattle animal-control authorities on a chase through the woods of Rainier Beach on Friday.

Authorities were trying to rescue the coyote because the jar has been stuck for a week, and they feared for the animal's safety.

But the creature still had enough spunk to elude its captors and disappeared into the woods, said Ann Graves, enforcement supervisor for the Seattle Animal Shelter.

The coyote pup is only 3 or 4 months old and somehow got its head stuck on or about July 17, said Patty Porcaro, who lives on South 51st Street near Kubota Garden. Porcaro has kept an eye on a family of six coyotes in the neighborhood who love to lie in the sun and howl when the fire trucks come out. They roam along the wooded area underneath the power lines.

Porcaro described the device tormenting the pup as "like a big mayonnaise jar from Costco."

Authorities set a trap with a cage earlier in the week, but it scared the coyotes away.

The pup with the jar on its head reappeared Friday, and Porcaro and her grandchildren tried to catch it, thinking it was weak.

Two animal-control officers tried to help, using a catch pole and nets. But the animal was faster than it appeared.

Shooting the animal with a tranquilizer is an option, according to Graves. But darting is dangerous because the creature hasn't had food or water for so long and could die from such a dose.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has also been contacted, Graves said.

Seattle animal-control officers continued to try and catch the pup Friday evening. "It's sad," Porcaro said. "He can't eat. He can't drink."

Last week, a bear in Tennessee was captured after its head was stuck in a plastic jar for three weeks. Wildlife officers finally shot the emaciated bear with a tranquilizer, and released it after removing the jar.

Jeff Hodson: (206) 464-2109 or jhodson@seattletimes.com