DENVER, Colorado: A coyote that attacked a 4-year-old girl on Thanksgiving after she mistook it for a dog crouching behind a tree, is now being hunted by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers, the agency announced over the weekend.
The young girl and another child approached the coyote in northern Colorado Springs, about an hour south of Denver. The coyote attacked, biting the back of the girl’s head and causing severe injuries that required an overnight stay in the hospital, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
The girl’s father intervened to stop the attack and scare away the coyote. Tim Kroening, a CPW wildlife manager, said the situation could have been much worse.
After the girl was discharged from the hospital, officials began searching for coyotes in the area. CPW plans to kill any coyotes they find nearby since it is impossible to identify the specific one involved. The animals’ remains will be tested for human DNA and diseases like rabies.
Coyotes have adapted to living in urban areas, where they find food and shelter, but they are usually afraid of humans. They can become aggressive if they are protecting their young, sick, or fed by people. Typically, they eat small animals, berries, and leftover scraps.
Kroening said it is an important reminder for people to be alert and frighten wild animals away by throwing rocks or yelling.
“Don’t let them get comfortable around people,” said Kroening.
Officials said the search could go on for several days.
