4-year-old attacked by coyote on Thanksgiving in Colorado

A coyote attacked a 4-year-old girl 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, thinking it was a dog, according to a CPW news release. Witnesses said the coyote lunged at the girl, grabbing the back of her head, inflicting injuries resulting in an overnight stay at a hospital.

“This could have been much worse – a tragedy – if not for the quick action of the child’s father to stop the attack, rescue his daughter and scare the coyote off,” said Tim Kroening in the press release. Kroening is CPW’s Area Wildlife Manager for the Pikes Peak region.

CPW was alerted to the attack Friday, after the girl was released from a hospital, according to the release.

The agency is organizing a search in the area for the coyote responsible for the attack, according to the release.

CPW officials included warnings about interacting with wildlife in their press release, and offered tips about how to behave when encountering coyotes.

“Coyotes live across Colorado, adapting well to urban areas where they find shelter and easy meals,” the release said. “Like most wildlife, coyotes are naturally afraid of humans but they can lose that fear and become bold and aggressive if they are protecting their young, being fed or are sick.”

“We don’t know yet what brought the coyote into the yard with this child,” Kroening said. “But it’s an important reminder to everyone to be alert and haze wild animals away from their homes and neighborhoods. That goes for deer, fox, bobcat, bears and other animals. Don’t let them get comfortable around people.

“If you see them, throw rocks at them, yell at them. And if you notice aggressive behavior, call us immediately. We’ll try to remove any aggressive animals.”

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Coyote attacks 4-year-old in Colorado

EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel