LYNNFIELD — Police in Lynnfield are warning residents to be wary of wild animals and make sure their pets are properly vaccinated after a rabid coyote approached a woman.
Lynnfield Animal Control on Tuesday said the coyote was captured earlier this week and tested positive for rabies.
Kerrianne Allain was packing up her Christmas decorations when she encountered the coyote in her driveway on Monday, she told WCVB-TV. The animal came within four feet of her, she said.
“Obviously, it scared the heck out of me,” Allain said.
Her son tried beeping a car horn to scare it away, but it continued to hang around.
The coyote may have infected other animals, animal control said, urging anyone who sees a sick animal to contact authorities. It also urged anyone who may have had contact with the coyote to seek medical help for themselves and their pets.
PEABODY — A Massachusetts correctional officer accused of stealing more than $6,000 from inmates pleaded not guilty, prosecutors said.
Ronald Moloney, who is a correctional officer in Billerica, was arraigned Monday on charges of larceny over $1,200 and filing a false report by a public employee, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s office said in a statement.
The Peabody man is accused of accessing inmates’ personal funds to issue 93 debit cards for his personal use. He also allegedly handled eight additional cards that were processed by another employee.
Moloney targeted the dormant accounts of released inmates to avoid being caught, the statement said.
He was indicted on Dec. 16 and suspended from his position without pay.
Moloney was ordered to stay away from potential witnesses following his arraignment. He was released and is expected to appear at a pretrial hearing on Jan. 17.
A voicemail was left with Moloney’s attorney.
From Associated Press