Coyote believed to be responsible for Frisco attacks caught, killed
Frisco police say authorities have captured several coyotes and believe they may have the one responsible for the recent attacks on joggers and a child.
Police said on Tuesday that the coyote “possibly linked” to the attacks was captured and put down, and its body sent for testing of possible diseases and to determine if it's connected to the multiple incidents.
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say the coyotes were put down and tested for rabies.
“While it cannot be said definitively that this is the animal responsible, it is believed to likely be related,” Frisco police said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
The coyote being sought by wildlife officials attacked two women early Monday while they were jogging. It was the fourth and fifth incident involving a coyote in that part of Frisco dating back to October. The sightings had occurred in the area of Eldorado Parkway, between North County and Granbury.
For weeks, neighborhoods and parks around the El Dorado and Preston area have stayed mostly empty.
Residents like Tamara Keller have even been changing their routines. She’s been carrying a knife with her while walking her dog.
“What do you do? Bear spray? Mace? what is there to do to protect yourself from a coyote?” she said. “It’s just abnormal.”
Even with the recent captures, attack victim Sheri Devore is not letting her guard down.
“I’m not gonna be running in Frisco for any given time,” she said.
Devore was jogging with her friend Monday morning when they were attacked by an aggressive coyote. She says her friend is back in the hospital so doctors can monitor her injured leg.
“t’s a relief they’re making headway,” Devore said. “My big question is how do you know it’s the one because it doesn’t have a tracker in it?”
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials plan to continue trapping coyotes to make sure they eliminate any aggressive animals that may have learned the behavior and say they will be back in Frisco on Wednesday.
“An organism becomes comfortable around people, and that can cause some aggressive behaviors,” said Sam Kieschnick, an urban wildlife biologist. “That could be what’s happening here.”
“I’d cover bases and just make sure this is something that gets taken care of because you never know,” Devore said. “The next one could be a kid. It could be worse.”
Texas Parks and Wildlife is asking neighbors to stay vigilant and continue reporting any coyote sightings.