Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers are currently on the lookout for a coyote that attacked a 4-year-old girl on Thanksgiving after she mistook the animal for a dog. The incident occurred in northern Colorado Springs, about an hour south of Denver. The young girl, accompanied by another child, approached the coyote, which then lunged and grabbed her by the back of the head. The attack caused significant injuries, requiring a hospital stay overnight, according to CPW’s statement released Saturday.
The girl’s father intervened to stop the assault and scare off the coyote, preventing a more severe outcome. Tim Kroening, a CPW wildlife manager, emphasized that the situation could have been much worse.
Officials were notified of the attack on Friday, following the girl’s hospital release, and immediately began organizing a search for the animal. Since pinpointing the exact coyote responsible is not possible, CPW plans to euthanize any coyotes found in the area, after which the bodies will be tested for human DNA and diseases like rabies.
Coyotes are becoming increasingly adapted to urban environments, where they find shelter and access to easy food sources. While they are generally wary of humans, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened, are protecting their young, or are ill. CPW officials suggested that feeding wildlife, whether intentionally or by leaving pet food outdoors, can contribute to this behavior. It is illegal to feed wild animals in urban areas, and this incident serves as a reminder for people to remain vigilant and discourage coyotes from becoming too comfortable around humans by making loud noises or throwing objects like rocks.
