A coyote attacked a four-year-old girl on Thanksgiving Day in Colorado Springs, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The girl was attacked when she and another child approached a coyote crouching behind a tree and thought it was a dog, according to a CPW news release. Witnesses said the coyote lunged at the girl, grabbing the back of her head and inflicting injuries, resulting in an overnight stay in a hospital.
“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,” Tim Kroening said in the news release. Kroening is CPW’s Area Wildlife Manager for the Pikes Peak region.
CPW was notified of the attack on Friday after the girl was released from a hospital, according to the release.
According to the news release, the agency is organizing a search of the area for the coyote responsible for the attack.
CPW officials included warnings about handling wildlife in their news release and provided tips on how to behave if you encounter coyotes.
“Coyotes live throughout Colorado and adapt well to urban areas where they find shelter and convenient meals,” the release said. “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 being sick.”
“We don’t know yet what caused the coyote to enter the garden with this child,” says Kroening. “But it is an important reminder for everyone to be alert and keep wildlife out of their homes and neighborhoods. This applies to deer, foxes, bobcats, bears and other animals. Make them uncomfortable around people.
“If you see them, throw stones at them and shout at them. And if you notice aggressive behavior, call us immediately. We will try to remove aggressive animals.”
This article originally appeared in Fort Collins Coloradoan: Coyote attacks 4-year-old in Colorado
