BURTONSVILLE, Md. — Montgomery County police said a coyote attacked two different women on the same day just hours apart, one week ago.
One attack happened in the 1400 block of Patuxent Drive in Ashton. The other was in the 3600 block of Bell Road in Burtonsville.
Christine Hamilton’s neighbor was one of those victims. Hamilton's neighbor had volunteered to walk her dog Thursday morning, when she was attacked by a coyote from behind.
The woman was knocked to the ground and bit over 20 times. Hamilton said said her dog, 6-year-old Willow, distracted the coyote, giving her friend time to get to safety.
“She did save my friend. She bolted and got the coyote away," Hamilton said. "During the attack, the coyote kept going back between the two.”
Hamilton said Willow once needed saving herself. Five years ago, Willow was rescued from a drug house in West Virginia. She gave birth to eight puppies while living in horrible conditions. Willow would look for food during the day to feed her babies at night, hardly eating herself.
One day, Willow was spotted by a neighbor who contacted "Knine Rescue." Amy Creel, the president of the rescue, fostered Willow and her puppies. Shortly after, Hamilton adopted Willow.
“Someone found her -- she was skin and bones," Hamilton said. "She had just delivered 8 puppies, by herself.”
Willow has scratches on her face and abdomen. After another rabies shot and 45 days in quarantine, she's going to be okay.
“Not that this was a good thing but, Willow saved my friend," Hamilton said. "People don’t make it through these things, so they are bonded -- we are bonded."
Knine Rescue, the rescue that saved Willow, has over 50 dogs available for adoptions.
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