Separate coyote attacks send two people to hospital on same day in Chicago, cops say

Dawson White

Two people — including a 5-year-old boy — were attacked by a coyote in separate instances in Chicago on Wednesday, police say.

The boy was near the lakefront in Lincoln Park when police say he was bitten multiple times just after 4 p.m., the Chicago Tribune reported.

The coyote escaped to the north and police were still combing the area for the animal Wednesday night, WBBM reported.

After the attack, police say an adult with the child hurried him onto a city bus to get him away from the animal, WGN reported.

The boy was taken to an area hospital where he was treated for lacerations to the right side of his head, according to the outlet.

Just before the attack, a Twitter user caught video of a coyote limping down the sidewalk near where the child was bitten, WBBM reported.

Later that day, a 32-year-old man says he was walking in the Gold Coast neighborhood when a coyote came up from behind and bit him, the Tribune reported.

He walked into an area hospital “with a scratch on his buttocks” and told police what happened, according to the newspaper. He’s expected to be released.

Area residents say they’re being vigilant.

“We’re in a place you got to always keep an eye out around you and be aware of your surroundings,” Lauren Kleist told WLS.

There have been a number of sightings in the Chicago area in the last few days, including up to five coyotes spotted outside an area school, according to the outlet. On Tuesday, officials rescued a young coyote from Lake Michigan.

Police are investigating the attacks and sightings with the help of Chicago Animal Care and Control, WLS reported.

Experts say if you see a coyote, you shouldn’t turn your back or run away, according to WBBM. Instead, try yelling or throwing something toward the coyote, according to the outlet. This is called “hazing.”

Experts say a coyote that doesn’t respond to hazing may be aggressive, WBBM reported.

“While it is extremely rare for a coyote to approach or bite a person, residents should take caution if they encounter a coyote and notify Chicago Animal Care and Control by calling 311,” the CACC said in a statement obtained by WLS.