A 9-year-old child in Alameda, Oregon, was recently attacked by a coyote while playing hide-and-seek in their yard, as confirmed by local authorities. The child, accompanied by a 3-year-old, was approached by the coyote, which bit the older child’s foot and ran off with a sock. The father, who was on the front porch at the time, managed to frighten the animal away by yelling at it.
Following the incident, the child was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The child’s current condition has not been disclosed. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department reported that the incident took place last week.
In the aftermath of the incident, local authorities conducted an investigation at the scene the following day. Flyers were distributed throughout the neighborhood, warning residents of the recent coyote encounter. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is closely monitoring the situation and collaborating with federal officials to address safety concerns.
Coyotes, medium-sized mammals with pointed muzzles and long, bushy tails, are a common sight across various landscapes in Oregon, including urban, suburban, rural, and natural areas. Feeding these animals can trigger aggressive behavior and potential attacks.
Dave Keiter, a district wildlife biologist for the ODFW, characterized the attack as a “very unusual incident” in an interview with local news outlet KATU. He stressed that most encounters with coyotes are harmless. In light of the incident, Alameda residents are being encouraged to supervise young children playing outdoors and to deter coyotes by making loud noises, such as yelling or using airhorns.