CPW urges people to protect children and pets from wildlife after coyote attack

COLORADO SPRINGS — A 4-year-old girl was attacked by a coyote on Thanksgiving Day, in northern Colorado Springs near Monument Creek and I-25.

While Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is investigating the situation, they are urging people to “be vigilant of their children and pets when living amid wildlife.”

Witnesses say that the girl and another child approached the coyote, thinking that it was a dog. It then lunged at the girl and grabbed the back of her head.

The attack resulted in serious injuries and an overnight stay at a hospital. However, the girl was released on Friday, and CPW began its search for the coyote.

There's no way to identify the exact coyote that attacked the girl, so CPW will “lethally remove any coyote it can find in the vicinity of the attack.” The remains will be tested for diseases, like rabies.

It's important to remember that coyotes are wild animals, and can be aggressive under certain circumstances. The CPW has some tips you can follow to make sure you or a loved one aren't a victim of an attack.

All of the tips below were taken directly from the CPW's guide on how to stay safe around wildlife. They also have resources for living around bats, bears, mountain lions, and many more animals you could see in your backyard.

At home:

• Don't leave food outside (pet food or to feed wild animals)
• If you see a coyote, make lots of noise and throw rocks to deter them
• If you have a pet that needs to be outside overnight, place them in an enclosed kennel or shelter

When participating in outdoor recreation:

• Go during daylight hours, and avoid dawn, dusk, or nighttime
• Go with a friend or group if possible
• Use a walking stick
• Keep children in your line of sight at all times
• Keep pets close on leashes
• Bring bear spray if possible
• Keep a noise maker or rocks on your person

For your pets:

• Always supervise your pet when outside, especially at dawn or dusk
• Don't feed pets outside or leave pet food outside
• Never leave cats or dogs unattended outside after dark
• If you must leave your pet outside, secure it in a fully enclosed kennel
• Keep your dog in a fenced yard
• Keep your pets up to date on vaccinations

While coyote attacks aren't common, it's always best to stay prepared while outdoors.

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