Coyote grabs child at home, in the middle of Portland

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

This is one of the most clicked stories of the week and bears passing on the alert that a child was attacked in her own backyard in the middle of Portland.  This provides an opportunity to talk about predator threats and how to respond when it happens.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife details more in their press release:

SALEM, Ore. – On Friday morning, Oct. 24 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) staff received a report of an incident involving a coyote and child in the Alameda neighborhood of Portland. At 6:15 p.m. Oct. 23 two children (ages 9 and 3) were playing hide-and-seek in their yard when a coyote approached the 9-year-old child and grabbed their foot. The child was only wearing socks and was able to shake their foot out of the sock and run away. The coyote chased after the child until the dad (who was on the front porch) started yelling and the coyote ran off. The child was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

On Oct. 24, ODFW district wildlife staff responded to the area to conduct a site investigation. They also posted flyers in the neighborhood and shared a notice on social media to inform residents that a concerning incident with a coyote had recently occurred. Over the last several days ODFW staff have continued to monitor the area and talk to neighbors. ODFW is working closely with the City of Portland and other local, state, and federal government agencies to determine next steps for addressing the human safety situation. The agency is also consulting with local conservation organizations.

Residents in the Alameda neighborhood are strongly encouraged to monitor young children playing outside, especially toddlers, scare away coyotes (through yelling, airhorns, banging pots and pans, throwing objects) whenever possible, and immediately remove any attractants. Under no circumstances should people provide food to coyotes or other predators. It is illegal to feed coyotes under ORS 496.731 and research indicates that feeding by humans is frequently associated with attacks and aggressive behavior.

Coyotes in Oregon

Coyotes are found all across our urban, suburban, rural, and natural landscapes in Oregon. Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores and mainly eat rodents, fruit, and nuts but they will also consume whatever food they can find including food waste, pet food, and sometimes small pets like outdoor cats. It is not unusual to see coyotes in urban areas like Portland, even during the daytime. By following a few simple steps, we can all work together to keep people, pets, and coyotes safe.

Follow these tips:

– Remove food sources. Never intentionally or accidentally feed a coyote.
– Don’t approach a coyote – scare away bold coyotes.
– Keep your pets safe (either supervised, on a leash, or inside).
– Monitor young children closely, especially in the Alameda neighborhood in Portland.
– Share these tips with your community.