MESA, Ariz. — Mesa police officers chased down a coyote and shot it Friday morning after the animal reportedly attacked a young child.
The coyote reportedly walked up to the front yard of a residence near Guadalupe and Sossaman roads and bit the hip of a young girl. The child was taken to the hospital and her family told 12News she appears to be fine and will need some stitches.
According to early reports, the girl had been playing with her siblings in the front yard.
As officers were responding to the scene, police received more calls from citizens who had spotted a coyote acting aggressively and running up to people.
Police officers were able to track down the coyote and fatally shot it. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will check to see if the coyote was suffering from rabies.
No one else was hurt during the incident, police said.
Earlier this year, four coyotes were euthanized after multiple attacks involving children were reported in the Scottsdale area.
>>Editor's note: The above video is from a previously aired broadcast.
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