An Oro Valley woman walking her dog Saturday was bitten by a javelina. The woman suffered a minor injury, authorities said.
However, the incident is prompting Arizona Game and Fish officials to warn people that dogs and javelinas "don't mix".
The woman, who was with her husband, was walking her dog in a residential neighborhood when they came into contact with a herd, according to a news release Wednesday.
The dog responded "aggressively" to the javelina, but the couple maintained control of their dog and tried to leave the area, said Mark Hart, a Game and Fish spokesman.
As they did, a javelina bit the woman on her thigh. She was treated at Oro Valley Hospital for the wound, possible infection and rabies, Hart said. The woman was released from the hospital.
"If you see javelina while walking your dog, go in the opposite direction," said RaΓΊl Vega, regional supervisor of Game and Fish in Tucson. "Javelina can't tell the difference between a dog and a coyote, which prey on javelina, so javelina react instinctively to dogs," said Vega.
"The presence of dogs is the second leading cause of injuries to humans by javelina, which are rare but can be serious. The leading cause of injuries is feeding javelina, which is illegal," Vega said.
Authorities said that if dogs and javelina are allowed to interact they can seriously hurt or kill each other. A javelina showing defensive behavior may include charging, teeth clacking or a barking and growling sound.
Javelina may act defensively when cornered, or to protect their young.
For tips on living with urban wildlife, visit www.azgfd.gov/urbanwildlife
