Coyote Attacks 2-Year-Old Girl At Orange County Park

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — A coyote attacked a 2-year-old girl Monday night at Mile Square Regional Park, police said.

Fountain Valley police did not provide further information about the girl's injuries or current condition.

The United States Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are jointly investigating the attack and launched a search to find the coyote and euthanize it, the Fountain Valley Police Department said.

Police asked residents in Fountain Valley to remain vigilant with their small children and pets.

The coyote attack happened around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, but it was not immediately reported to the police, the department said.

"The community is encouraged to continue to haze coyotes and keep small children and pets under close supervision," Fountain Valley police said.

Hazing is a method of discouraging an animal from going into populated areas such as playgrounds and backyards, the Humane Society said.

Some ways to haze a coyote include the following.

• Yelling at a coyote and waving your arms in the air.
• Using loud noise-making devices, such as whistles, air horns or bells.
• Throwing objects at a coyote, including small rocks, tennis balls or sticks.

Read more of Patch's coverage on coyote attacks in Orange County:

• Coyote Who Bit Toddler On Orange County Beach Is Dead, DNA Confirms
• Coyote Jumps Backyard Fence, Attacks Dog In Huntington Beach
• Did Euthanized Coyotes Attack 91-Year-Old Laguna Beach Man?
• 2 People Bitten By Coyotes On Mission Viejo Trail
• Coyote Attacks Toddler In Placentia