In an early morning operation today, Arlington Animal Services rounded up a coyote accused of attacking three children in the vicinity of Parkway Central Park. The wiley predator was detained by officials who plan to humanely put it down, before sending it off for rabies analysis to the Texas Health and Human Services in Austin.
With local nerves frayed by the reports of the recent bites, a combined force of an animal control officer and a police officer oversaw pedestrian traffic during the morning rush of school drop-offs at the nearby Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language. During that time, according to the City of Arlington, the coyote, defiant and seemingly emboldened, "charged" at the officers. In quick response, the coyote was captured and safely secured from causing any further harm.
Arlington Animal Services captured a coyote this morning believed responsible for biting three children at Parkway Central Park in separate incidents. The coyote will be humanely euthanized and transported to Texas Health and Human Services in Austin for rabies testing. pic.twitter.com/R4aRDC5yV7
— City of Arlington (@CityOfArlington) February 15, 2024
As an immediate precaution, officials have closed Parkway Central Park, located at 600 Van Buren Drive, to the public and are not saying when it will open again. City authorities have joined hands with the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Wildlife Services to take stock of the situation and chart a way forward. They have also urged locals to stay alert and report any further coyote encounters via the City's Action Center website, maintaining a vigilant watch over their community.
This sudden and effective response comes after the animal, which has terrorized the community with its aggressive disposition, was deemed a significant risk to public safety, especially the area's children. Residents, now breathing a cautious sigh of relief, hope for a rapid and lasting resolution to this unexpected urban wildlife challenge. Following this incident, the community remains on edge, but thanks to the swift action of Arlington's finest, perhaps a touch safer tonight.
