3 coyotes shot after 5-year-old attacked at San Francisco Botanical Garden

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Over the weekend, three coyotes were shot and killed at the Botanical Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. It happened just one day after a five-year-old girl was attacked by a coyote.

There are signs of coyotes everywhere in the San Francisco Botanical Garden. The park reopened to the public this Monday after it was closed on Friday after a coyote bit the girl during her supervised camp.

“A coyote aggressively approached one of the children – a five-year-old girl – and bit her on the buttocks,” said Capt. Patrick Foy of the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.

According to Foy, the girl was treated at a hospital and a DNA sample was taken from her wound.

Over the weekend, the ministry joined forces with the US Department of Agriculture.

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Wildlife officials spotted three coyotes and set traps, but were unable to catch the animals. Officers later shot the animals in the Botanical Garden.

“The three coyotes were in close proximity to where the attack occurred,” Foy said.

Authorities sent DNA samples from the animals to a laboratory in Sacramento to see if they matched the DNA of the attacked child.

Meanwhile, Brendan Lange, a spokesman for the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, issued this statement:

“During breeding season, coyotes may exhibit more protective behavior to protect their young.”

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According to wildlife authorities, this is not the first attack by a coyote.

“In the state of California, there have been six in the last few months,” Foy said.

Captain Foy says all but one took place in Southern California.

At the Botanical Garden, some visitors heeded the coyote warning signs.

“We are surrounded by a city filled with concrete, and somehow nature finds a way. And it finds these little oases in the middle of the city, and yeah. It’s crazy,” said Michael Frei.

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“It’s crazy that there are coyotes in the city. You usually see them out in the desert,” said Giovanni Santillan.

Wildlife authorities warn people to be cautious around coyotes.

If you encounter a coyote, walk away slowly.

Authorities also want to remind you that just because you see a coyote does not necessarily mean it will attack you.

According to Captain Foy, the likelihood of an attack by a domestic dog is greater than that of an attack by a coyote.