5-year-old boy rescued by mother after coyote attack

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) —A coyote attacked and injured a 5-year-old child in Renton, Washington on Tuesday evening, authorities said.

Around 6 p.m. the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said WDF&W officers "received a report of a human-coyote incident with documented injuries in the Maplewood Heights neighborhood of Renton in King County."

"A coyote bit a five-year-old boy in the upper body, pulling the child to the ground and then attempted to drag him toward a greenbelt area," WDF&W said in a press release. "The child's mother intervened, rushing at the coyote, and it released the child."

Officials said the coyote remained in the area until WDF&W officers arrived. The officers "quickly located the animal near where the incident occurred and attempted to lethally remove the coyote." However, the coyote ran away into a wooded area.

WDF&W said the child was taken to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He was released later that same night.

Information and safety tips on avoiding conflicts with coyotes in Washington can be found on the WDF&W's website. Information about coyote sightings in Oregon can be found here.