After an incident in which a coyote bit a 9-year-old boy while he was playing hide-and-seek in Portland, Oregon, state wildlife officials are advising parents to closely supervise their children when outdoors. If a coyote is spotted, they recommend taking measures to scare it away.
The attack happened around 6:15 p.m. in the Alameda area. The boy, along with a younger sibling, was outside when the coyote approached and bit his leg. Thankfully, the child was able to run away, even though he was wearing socks without shoes. He escaped as his father yelled from a balcony, prompting the coyote to flee.
He was treated at a nearby hospital for minor injuries.
Following the attack, officials from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) began investigating, patrolling the neighborhood and distributing flyers to residents. They are now working in conjunction with various partners to figure out the best course of action moving forward.
Local residents have been urged to monitor their children, keep pets secured, manage food sources like trash or pet food, and avoid trying to scare away coyotes with loud noises or thrown objects. It’s emphasized that feeding coyotes is dangerous since it can lead to more aggressive behavior towards people.
According to ODFW, wild coyotes are common in Oregon, particularly around Portland, where they usually hunt for rodents and other small food sources.
Residents are encouraged to promptly report any aggressive coyote behavior by calling 971-673-6000, or 911 in emergencies.
