A Poughkeepsie City councilman had a terrifying encounter with a coyote while walking his dog in College Hill Park near Morgan Lake.

Councilman Evan Menist says the coyote snuck up behind them and nearly bit his dog Harvey from behind. He called 911 and then yelled at the coyote to scare it away, but for the next five minutes it kept trying to get close.

Menist says he finally was able to get some distance away from the coyote before first responders arrived.