Authorities in Colorado According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), they are “aggressively pursuing” a coyote that attacked a four-year-old girl in Colorado Springs on Thanksgiving.
The attack happened late Thursday afternoon near the Air Force Academy in a neighborhood east of Monument Creek and Interstate 25, when the little girl and another child approached the coyote, thinking it was a dog, the agency said.
The coyote, which was behind a tree, lunged at the girl and grabbed the back of her head, causing serious injuries.
“This could have been much worse – a tragedy – if the child’s father had not acted so quickly to stop the attack, save his daughter and deter the coyote,” said Tim Kroening, CPW’s Area Wildlife Manager for the Pikes Peak region.
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Authorities in Colorado Springs, Colorado, are pursuing a coyote after it attacked a four-year-old girl on Thanksgiving Day, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/The Mercury News)
CPW was notified of the attack on Friday after the little girl was released from the hospital, prompting an investigation and hunt for the animal.
“Like most wildlife, coyotes are naturally afraid of people, but they can lose that fear and become bold and aggressive when protecting their young, being fed, or sick,” the organization said.
Because it is not possible to identify the coyote responsible, CPW said any coyote found near the area of the attack will be “lethally removed” and sent to a health laboratory to be tested for human DNA and diseases.
The four-year-old girl approached the coyote, who was crouching behind a tree, after thinking it was a dog. (iStock)
“We don’t know yet what caused the coyote to go into the yard with this child,” Kroening said. “But it’s an important reminder for everyone to be alert and alert wild animals away from their homes and neighborhoods. This applies to deer, foxes, bobcats, bears and other animals. Make them uncomfortable around people.”
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If someone encounters a coyote, Kroening says to throw rocks or yell at the animal. If the coyote appears aggressive, call CPW and they will attempt to remove it.
The agency also issued a reminder not to feed coyotes to keep them wild and afraid of humans child safety and pets.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has issued a reminder not to feed coyotes because they are wild animals and should not be comfortable around humans. (iStock)
“We’ve had cases where they attacked small dogs and cats for food,” Kroening said. “And they may see pets as potential competitors for food.”
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The pursuit and investigation remain active and the agency is asking for the public’s “cooperation and understanding” during this time.
