BELLEVUE, Wash. — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is issuing a warning to the public after they say several people were attacked by coyotes.
CHILD ATTACKED
On March 11, just before 8:00 p.m., WDFW officers say a coyote bit a child’s hand in the Factoria neighborhood. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and released that night.
Officers say they found two coyotes in the area and were able to kill one, but the other ran away.
Officers are increasing patrols in the area to find the second animal.
BUS STOP ATTACK
On March 11, around 9:45 a.m., there was another incident involving a coyote in the Factoria area.
Officers say a coyote went up to a group of children who were waiting at a bus stop, and tried to bite them, ripping some clothing and nearly getting away with a backpack.
Officers say adults intervened and made sure the children safely got on the bus.
CASE OF THE STOLEN BACKPACK
On March 7, there was an incident that happened near the Tyee Middle School in Bellevue. WDFW officers say a coyote grabbed a backpack and ran into the nearby bushes. The student says she had placed her backpack on the sidewalk after school while she waited to be picked up by a parent. She wasn’t hurt.
MAN BITTEN IN GARAGE
On the morning of March 7, WDFW says a man called to report that he’d been bitten by a coyote that wandered into his garage. It happened in the Factoria neighborhood. The man told officers that the animal had bitten his leg. The man later went to a nearby hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
PATIO PROWLING
WDFW offices say that on March 6, a woman in the Norwood Village neighborhood was bitten by a coyote on her patio. It happened around 5:00 a.m. The woman says she was able to get inside her home, but the animal chased her.
Officers say the woman later went to a nearby hospital to be treated for her minor injuries.
ARE THESE INCIDENTS CONNECTED?
WDFW believes the same animals were involved in all incidents.
WHAT’S CAUSING THIS?
WDFW Sgt. Carlo Pace said this behavior is very unusual, noting that a human hasn’t been bit by a coyote in the Factoria neighborhood in nearly 20 years.
“I can almost guarantee that this particular behavior is mostly due to somebody feeding them,” Sgt. Pace said, adding that the coyotes appear to have lost all fear of humans.
WHAT’S BEING DONE?
WDFW is increasing patrol in the area to track the animals.
On Tuesday, KIRO 7 crews saw WDFW officers following school buses to ensure kids were safe in case coyotes approached groups at bus stops.
They have posted signs warning residents about the incidents.
PROTECTING YOURSELF
Prevention is the best tool for minimizing conflicts with coyotes and other wildlife. Here is what WDFW suggests:
· Keep cats inside
· Keep dogs leashed
· Avoid early morning and late evening walks with your pet in areas where coyotes are known to be.
· Don’t leave small children unattended where coyotes are frequently seen or heard.
· If you encounter a coyote, don’t run away from it! Officers urge you to stand tall, make eye contact with the animal, and shout at it. You can also throw something at it, squirt it with a hose, make loud noises, and wave sticks.
If you witness a coyote attack on a supervised pet (like a leashed dog or backyard chickens, for example), you should report it to WDFW by calling 360-902-2936 or emailing WILDCOMM@dfw.wa.gov.
You can track reported coyote sightings in the region using the Woodland Park Zoo’s Carnivore Spotter here.
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