A father in Snoqualmie, Washington, said his 3-year-old daughter was attacked by a coyote, according to reports.
Lucas said he was on a ladder hanging Christmas lights when the wild canine approached their home. He recalled seeing the coyote around dusk.
The father said he saw the coyote walking down the street, up onto their porch, and then pounced on Sophia.
The family showed the scratches still visible on the child’s arm in the televised interview. According to her family, her purple winter coat that got torn apart by the coyote may have saved her from more serious injury.
“It was traumatic, it’s a scary situation,” Chavez told Q13FOX.
The Snoqualmie Police Department said there have been several reports of coyote sightings in recent weeks.
In a Facebook post, the department urged residents to call 911 to report coyote sightings. The officers work closely with the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife to maintain public safety.
Young Sophia recalls the day of the attack as being scary, but she told Q13FOx that “daddy saved my life.”
The department encouraged residents to take care of their garbage and ensure that all food sources are inaccessible. They suggest residents to “keep garbage cans with tight-fitting lids in a shed, garage, or fenced area.”
They also said residents should spray their garbage cans and dumpsters regularly to remove odors.
If anyone would like more information on wildlife in neighborhoods, call Police Captain Nick Almquist at 425-999-1522.
