A 4-year-old girl in Colorado was attacked by a coyote on Thanksgiving Day after she mistakenly thought the wild animal was a dog. The incident happened in the late afternoon in Colorado Springs, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials, who are now searching for the coyote.
Officials emphasized the importance of keeping a close watch on children and pets when living near wildlife. The girl was injured after she and another child approached a coyote hiding behind a tree.
During the attack, the coyote lunged and grabbed the girl by the back of her head, causing significant injuries that required her to stay overnight in the hospital. Fortunately, her father acted quickly to stop the attack, saving his daughter and scaring the coyote away. Tim Kroening, the Area Wildlife Manager for the Pikes Peak region, stated that it could have been a much worse situation without this quick response.
After the incident, the girl was released from the hospital, and wildlife officials began tracking the coyote. While they cannot identify the specific coyote involved, they plan to remove any coyote they find in the area where the attack occurred. Any coyote carcasses found will be tested for diseases and checked for human DNA.
Kroening also urged residents to be cautious and keep wild animals away from their homes. He advised throwing rocks or yelling at any wildlife seen in neighborhoods to prevent them from becoming too comfortable around people. If anyone encounters aggressive animals, they should report it to the authorities immediately.
