Coyote attacks 8-year-old girl during walk with her mom, Texas officials say

A coyote attacked an 8-year-old girl on a walk with her mother in a Texas suburb, officials say.

The rare and brazen attack happened at about 4 p.m. Monday, May 26, in a neighborhood on the northeast side of Frisco, city officials said in a May 28 news release.

According to officials, the girl was some distance in front of her mom when the coyote came at her.

The mother saw what was happening, quickly stepped in and scared the coyote away, the city said. The girl suffered a bite and scratches but nothing life-threatening.

In response, authorities “removed” three coyotes from the neighborhood, according to the city. Officials added that the coyotes are being tested for any illnesses or diseases.

Officials didn’t say if the coyotes were euthanized.

However, in order to test for diseases like rabies, the given animal must be put down, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Frisco is a roughly 30-mile drive north from Dallas.

This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 9:58 AM with the headline "Coyote attacks 8-year-old girl during walk with her mom, Texas officials say."