Coyote attacks toddler in Fountain Valley’s Mile Square Park; investigators search for animal

A 2-year-old child was attacked by a coyote in a Fountain Valley park earlier this week, and authorities Thursday were looking for the animal.

The attack occurred about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in Mile Square Park, near Euclid Street and Stonecress Avenue, Fountain Valley Police Lt. Kham Vang said.

“The attack was not immediately reported, and initial efforts to locate the coyote were unsuccessful,” Vang said in a statement.

The extent of the child’s possible injuries was unclear.

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife was contacted and is now the lead agency in the investigation due to the wildlife aspect,” Vang said. “CDFW and the U.S. Department of Agriculture [are] currently conducting operations in the area to locate and euthanize the coyote.”

A coyote, like one seen in this Costa Mesa park last year, attacked a toddler in Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley earlier this week.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

“The community is encouraged to continue to haze coyotes and keep small children and pets under close supervision,” Vang said.

Further information regarding coyotes and Fountain Valley’s Coyote Management Plan may be found on the city’s website page under Coyote Information. Further information about additional actions to better coexist with coyotes and other wild animals may be found at CDFW’s KeepMeWild page.

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