A young child in Oregon had a close call with a coyote while playing hide-and-seek in a Portland neighborhood, leading state wildlife authorities to advise parents to be vigilant about their children’s safety outdoors and to actively deter any coyotes they encounter.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) reported that the incident occurred on Thursday evening at approximately 6:15 in Portland’s Alameda area. Two children, aged 9 and 3, were outside playing when a coyote approached and bit the older child’s foot.
The 9-year-old, who was wearing socks but no shoes, managed to escape and run away while the coyote pursued. The child’s father intervened by shouting from the porch, which caused the animal to flee.
The child was taken to the hospital and received treatment for minor injuries.
Earlier this week, a wild coyote attacked a 9-year-old during a game of hide-and-seek in a Portland backyard. (Photo by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Following the incident, ODFW staff initiated an investigation, canvassing the neighborhood and distributing flyers to alert residents. In the days since the attack, officials have continued to monitor the area, collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to decide on further actions.
Residents are being urged to supervise young children, keep pets leashed or indoors, remove food attractants like garbage and pet food and to use loud noises or thrown objects to scare away bold coyotes.
“Under no circumstances should people provide food to coyotes or other predators,” ODFW said. “Feeding by humans is frequently associated with attacks and aggressive behavior.”
ODFW urges the public to never feed wild coyotes, who can become aggressive around humans. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Coyotes are found throughout Oregon, including in Portland neighborhoods, and typically eat rodents, fruit and nuts.
Wildlife officials say feeding by people can make the animals bolder and more aggressive toward humans and pets.
The coyote attack happened in a suburb of Portland. (iStock)
ODFW urged residents to immediately report any aggressive behavior to its office at 971-673-6000 and to dial 911 in an emergency.
