Coyote killed in Golden Gate Park was probably the animal that attacked the girl

SAN FRANCISCO – A coyote that attacked a five-year-old girl in Golden Gate Park was among those euthanized by wildlife officials over the weekend.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced Tuesday that forensics had matched DNA from the girl’s bite wound to that of one of the killed coyotes.

This concludes the department’s investigation into Friday’s encounter at the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park.

Since the attack, rangers have shot three coyotes at the Botanical Garden.

According to official information, the girl is recovering.

Coyotes are a common sight in Golden Gate Park, but attacks on humans are not common.

“It’s rare, but unfortunately it does happen occasionally,” said Patrick Foy of the CDFW.
Representatives of the Department of Conservation strongly advise against contact with coyotes.

“That includes yelling at him aggressively. Throwing things at him or at least making him feel uncomfortable,” Foy said. “The worst thing you can do is make him feel comfortable, even by feeding him, which is one of the worst things you can do to a coyote if he lives with humans.”