Texas Toddler Attacked By Coyote, Hospitalized

DALLAS, TX — A 2-year-old child was attacked and critically injured by a coyote in northeast Dallas on Tuesday morning, according to police.

The child was mauled on the porch of the family's home on Royalpine Drive and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Police fired at the animal after it was located at a nearby park, but the coyote escaped into a wooded area. It is unknown if the coyote was hit, according to police.

Dallas police and Texas game wardens are searching for the animal and warned people in the area to be on alert for the coyote, which should be considered "extremely dangerous." Anyone who sees the animal is urged to call 911.

The coyote likely was fed by people in the neighborhood, intentionally or not, since the animal did not shy away from human contact, Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist Sam Kieschnick told the Associated Press.

The attack in Dallas comes after another 2-year-old was attacked by a coyote at a California beach. The coyote attacked the child for around 12 seconds before adults could scare it away. It has since been killed by police.