Huntington Beach, California (KABC) – A young girl was in the hospital on Friday morning after being attacked by a coyote in Huntington Beach, which caused a search for the animal.
The incident happened north of the pier around 9:45 p.m. on Thursday, according to Huntington Beach Police Department. When officers arrived, they found the injured child, but it was unclear who she was with at the time of the attack.
The unknown girl, whose age was not reported, was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but without danger to life.
Police say two coyotes were shot dead on the beach after Thursday night’s attack. A coyote was found dead on a beach Friday morning near PCH and Goldenwest Street, but authorities do not believe he was involved in the attack.
Although the animal that attacked the girl was not found, police expect it to be found dead, given his injuries.
Gary Joncon says he spotted the coyote before following the victim.
“He fell all the way here and then came back,” Joncon said. “We saw him and then suddenly he came into this family and he had a child on the ground, and then about five minutes later we came back, a whole crowd around the baby. The baby was obviously like a pill.
Residents say coyote sightings are not uncommon, and police say they have recently stepped up efforts to trap the city.
“It’s scary when they’re very close to you because they’re bigger and you really don’t have any protection,” said Huntington Beach resident Diana Broderick.
She encourages beachgoers to always be vigilant.
All coyote sightings in the area should be reported by calling 714-960-8811 or visiting the Huntington Beach Coyote Incident Reporter here.
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