Aggressive coyote goes after female runners and child, 9, in Texas causing serious injuries in string of attacks – and its going for the neck
- Police in Frisco issued an updated warning after two joggers were saved by a passing motorist who scared off the animal with his car horn this morning
- It is the fifth attack in three months in the area and authorities are telling residents to avoid running there
- Last month a jogger had to undergo surgery for neck injuries sustained during an an attack and nine-year-old child was also a victim
- Experts believe one coyote is behind the attacks and say it is acting ‘abnormally’
- One wildlife professional said the animals often look for ‘easy prey’
An aggressive coyote attacked two female runners on a Texas street Monday – the latest in a string of incidents involving the animal.
Police in Frisco issued an updated warning after the joggers were saved by a passing motorist and taken to hospital for treatment.
There have now been five attacks coyote attacks on locals around the Frisco area, including on a nine-year-old child. They all occurred on the street, between 6am and 8:30am, and cops are telling residents to avoid running in the area ‘until the aggressive coyote is captured’.
A coyote attacked two female runners this morning and is thought to be behind at least four other attacks in Texas in the last three months (stock image)
Police have warned runners to avoid the area of Frisco where the coyote has attacked
Frisco Police Officer Grant Cottingham told Fox4: ‘The thing that makes this stand out the most is its aggressiveness and its abnormal behavior.
‘The fact it actually approaching people and going after people, that’s what makes it different than the others. Normally, it’s kind of like the other wild animals, they’re more scared of us that we are them.’
Motorist Michael Harvey used his horn to save the two women joggers this morning after a child was attacked last month.
He told CBS 11 News: ‘I was just driving and saw two ladies in the middle of the street. I knew immediately what was happening and tried to zoom in on the coyote and wanted to hit him, but because of the way the woman were acting, frantic and scared, I slowed down.
‘When he attacked he knocked both of the women down.’
At the end of November one runner was forced to undergo surgery after they were left with serious injuries to their neck.
Earlier that month a nine-year-old was also attacked by the coyote, leaving them with minor injuries.
Shocking footage also shows the moment a Frisco police officer was able to scare of the animal – seen stalking a runner – using their car siren.
And in October a passerby managed to frighten a coyote attempting to jump on a jogger.
The coyote was spotted following a runner by a policeman who managed to scare it off
Michael Harvey saw two women being attacked by the coyote and used his car horn to scare it
Police think a single coyote, which wildlife professionals say is acting abnormally, is responsible for all of the attacks.
They said in a statement: ‘Since the first incident on October 26th, the Animal Services Unit of the Frisco Police Department has been attempting to locate and catch the aggressive coyote but has been unable to.
‘The Frisco Police Department has also been in contact with other wildlife professionals in the area and this type of behavior is abnormal for coyotes. A private contractor was hired to engage in the abatement of the coyote believed to be responsible for the attacks.
‘Additionally, the department continues to collaborate with Texas Parks and Wildlife to determine which practices should be employed to best manage the situation.’
They added’ ‘Most notably, Animal Services Officers (supported by Frisco Police Officers) continue to devote significant resources to track and capture the animal.
‘Unless threatened by an aggressive animal, residents are discouraged from taking matters into their own hands.’