NJ policeman kills and kills a coyote who attacked his mother and 4-year-old son in a park

An Essex County police officer shot a coyote on Thursday after the animal violently attacked a mother and her 4-year-old son, authorities said.

The 37-year-old Fairfield woman was walking in the park shortly before 7 pm, pushing her son into a stroller near the tennis courts and community pool, located near a wooded area, at the time of the attacks, said Fairfield Police Chief Anthony G Manna

"While she was walking, another person who was walking alerted her to the fact that a coyote was walking right behind her," said Manna.

When the woman turned around, the coyote threw herself on her, said Manna. "The victim fell to the ground and the stroller rocked," Manna said.

The coyote bit the woman in the back of the leg before taking it to the child and biting it to the right leg, the chief said. The mother got up and straightened the stroller, said Manna.

"She tried to run away, but the coyote was thrown at her again," Manna said. "The coyote then ran into the adjacent wooded area."

The mother and the child were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and assessment. Fairfield police also closed the park and ended a youth football game and a basketball game.

"The New Jersey Department of Conservation, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Associated Humane Society have all been contacted for help and have responded," said Manna.

Several police searched the area in search of the coyote. At about 8:40 pm, Sgt. Frank Tracey saw a coyote crossing a fence in the 200 block of Big Piece Road.

The officer came out of his patrol vehicle with his M4 police rifle and entered a backyard where he saw the coyote emerge from behind the pool.

Manna said that the animal "began to aggressively approach the agent."

"In order to protect himself, the officer fired several shots, hitting the coyote and killing him," Manna said.

The Associated Humane Society has taken possession of the carcass for rabies testing, according to the chief.

According to Manna, during the search several residents of Big Piece Road told the police that the neighbor's Doberman Pinscher had been attacked the previous night, apparently by a coyote.

"We do not know if it's the same animal that residents describe," said Manna, adding that the coyote that attacked the dog was "much bigger".

"Many residents of Big Piece Road said they saw and heard a lot of coyotes behind their house," said Manna.

"The Fairfield Police Department continues to warn all residents of the Big Piece Road area and all those who use the recreation complex that they must be very careful when they are walking in their yard or in the park, "said Manna.

"The police department intends to deploy rifle-armed officers in the park and at several scheduled events in the community pool and at a nearby school to ensure the safety of the public as much as possible. possible, "said the chef.

Anthony G. Attrino can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Get the latest updates directly in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com newsletters.