Coyote Attacks 6-Year-Old Boy At South Bay Park: Report

CARSON, CA — A 6-year-old boy is recovering after a coyote attacked him at a park in the South Bay earlier this week, according to a report by KTLA5.

The attack happened Monday night as the boy attended his sister's softball game at Del Amo Park in Carson, according to the report.

The boy told KTLA5 that the coyote chased him, and although he tried to escape, it caught up and bit him. He had to get 20 stitches after the attack, which left him with wounds on his head and back.

“It feels like pain, like I got bitten by a wolf,” the boy told KTLA5.

@planelord Watch the full video on my other post. #coyote #kid #ktla #cbs #abc ♬ original sound - planelord

Urban coyotes are not uncommon across Southern California, with cities such as Redondo Beach reporting an uptick in coyote sightings over the years.

But the canines are usually fearful of humans and will go out of their way to avoid them. Attacks on humans are rare. Only one person in United States history has been reportedly killed by a coyote.

Still, the coyote will attack under certain conditions, including when it's cornered, defending its den, if it associates a human with food or if it's injured or ill.

The Urban Coyote Research recommends taking the following actions to mitigate conflict with the canine:

• Do not run from a coyote
• If encountering a coyote, shout or throw something in its direction
• Do not feed coyotes
• Avoid routes where coyote dens may be
• Avoid hazing or aggravating the coyote
• Report aggressive or fearless coyote behavior to authorities

Read more from KTLA5.