Arlington park closed after coyote bites three children
ARLINGTON, Texas - The city of Arlington now says three children were attacked by a coyote at a park.
The attacks happened Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.
At least one coyote was spotted Wednesday at Parkway Central Park, although several have been spotted in the area over the last few days.
Traps have been set throughout the park, and it remains closed.
Arlington police and Arlington Animal Services are still out patrolling the area, but city officials say they aren’t sure how many coyotes they’re looking for.
A coyote was spotted Wednesday around 7 p.m. off Van Buren on the outer edge of the park.
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A FOX 4 crew did hear a tranquilizer gun go off around 7 p.m., but it’s unclear if the coyote was hit. Then, officers started to move in with flashlights, but it doesn't appear the coyote was found.
City officials have been walking around with tranquilizer guns and multiple traps have been set up.
SKY 4 spotted a coyote multiple times on Wednesday lying down in the grass and curling up on the side of a hill. Our ground cameras were even able to get some video of a coyote just walking around the park.
Several coyotes have been spotted in the area in recent days, but the city of Arlington believes the same coyote attacked three children in separate incidents just a few days apart.
All three children were bitten at the park on the playground or in the parking lot.
The most recent attack took place Tuesday night near the swings.
Estreitta De Kluetz witnessed the attack and called 911.
"He bit the boy and was pulling, trying to pull him into the woods, I think," she recalled. "All of a sudden, I hear another mom go, ‘Oh my God! The dog is biting that kid!’ She runs and screams at the dog, and she throws her shoe at it."
The woman says the coyote let go of the 6-year-old boy, and parents immediately put pressure on the puncture wounds on the chest area.
When officers arrived, De Kluetz says that’s when she learned about Saturday’s attack.
"If I would’ve known that a little kid had gotten attacked on Saturday, I would’ve never brought my child to the park because it’s not safe," she said.
The city confirms to FOX 4 a little girl was attacked by a coyote Saturday.
Animal services set out a trap and patrolled the park over the weekend but no luck.
Another attack happened Monday, and a third attack took place Tuesday at the park.
After Tuesday’s attack, that's when the city decided to close the park.
All three children have been released from the hospital.
The city is partnering with federal wildlife services to trap and remove the coyote that’s believed to have bitten the children.
This park backs up to a school, a neighborhood and multiple apartment complexes.
Extra animal patrol and police officers will be on patrol at the nearby school when students are arriving and leaving.
Animal Services says it is mating season for coyotes so they can turn more aggressive.
The park will remain closed until further notice.
What Should I Do If I See A Coyote?
Coyotes, which are typically afraid of people, can be found throughout Arlington. Sightings may be common, but aggressive encounters have been rare, the city’s code compliance director said.
If you encounter one, you should not engage with them or feed them.
Make yourself as large as possible and appear intimidating.
If you see a coyote in the area, experts say you should start making noise. You can yell or clap loudly to scare away any wildlife, or carry something with you to make noise.