Coyote attacks and seriously injures girl in Colorado Springs; Officials say they will kill any coyote they find in the area

A coyote pounced on a 4-year-old girl in Colorado Springs on Thanksgiving, sending her to the hospital. Now Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials say they will kill any coyote they find in the area of ​​the attack.

The attack occurred in a neighborhood east of Monument Creek and Interstate 25 near the U.S. Air Force Academy. According to CPW, officials will kill all coyotes in the attack area because it is impossible to identify an individual coyote, but also to screen the coyotes in that community for rabies.

Now CPW is reminding people to take steps to protect their children and pets when living and recreating near wildlife.

“This could have been much worse – a tragedy – if the child’s father had not acted quickly to stop the attack, save his daughter and scare off the coyote,” said Tim Kroening, CPW’s Area Wildlife Manager for the Pikes -Peak region.

Witnesses told CPW investigators that the girl was attacked when she and another child approached a coyote crouching behind a tree, thinking it was a dog. The coyote “lunged at the girl, grabbing her by the back of the head and inflicting serious injuries that resulted in an overnight stay in the hospital,” CPW said in a statement Saturday morning.

Wildlife officials urge people not to leave trash outside when they live near coyotes and other wildlife to avoid encouraging them to approach people and residential areas.

“Coyotes are omnivores and will eat anything, even tipping over trash cans, like bears do,” Kroening said. “When they become aggressive it is usually in the spring and they are protecting a nearby cave where they have their young. Or it’s because someone in the area is feeding them.”

Coyotes live throughout Colorado and are typically fearful of people and larger dogs, but may lose this fear if they are regularly fed by people or in populated areas with consistent food sources.

CPW recommends calling your nearest office if someone notices wildlife in your area and harassment is ineffective.

The girl who was attacked has not been identified and CPW said the investigation is ongoing so no further information will be released at this time.