Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials are actively searching for a coyote that attacked a young girl in Colorado Springs on Thanksgiving. The incident occurred near the Air Force Academy when the 4-year-old and another child mistook the coyote, hidden behind a tree, for a dog. The animal lunged, injuring the girl's head before her father intervened and scared it away.

CPW, alerted after the girl's hospital release, launched an investigation and search. While coyotes are typically wary of humans, CPW explains they can become aggressive if protecting young, fed by people, or if they are ill. Because identifying the specific coyote is impossible, any coyote found near the attack site will be euthanized and tested for human DNA and diseases.

CPW Area Wildlife Manager Tim Kroening stressed the importance of hazing wildlife away from residential areas, including deer, foxes, bobcats, and bears. He recommends yelling at or throwing rocks at coyotes, and contacting CPW if the animal displays aggression. Kroening emphasized the danger of feeding coyotes, as this habituates them to humans, creating risks for both children and pets. Coyotes sometimes target small animals as a food source, and may also view pets as competition.

The investigation is ongoing, and CPW requests public cooperation.