Arlington Police and Animal Services are combing North Arlington after two young residents were reportedly bitten by a coyote in Parkway Central Park. The City of Arlington confirmed the first incident took place on Saturday, Feb. 10, on the 600 block of Van Buren Drive, an area engulfed by the crossroads of Lamar Boulevard and Cooper Street. Officials took immediate action with patrols and a trap that was set after the initial attack, yet the effort ended in vain.
The park became a site of concern once more on Tuesday evening when a second child sustained bites from what officials believe was the same coyote - a worrying repetition that prompted the authorities to shut down the park. "Animal Services officers and police officers responded to tranquilize and trap the coyote, but the animal could not be located," as per the City of Arlington, Texas. The city did not release specifics on the condition of the children involved.
With urgency rising, Arlington Police elevated their hunt on Wednesday, deploying a drone to scan the vicinity from above, as was detailed by NBC DFW. Despite these escalated efforts, the coyote remains at large, having eluded traps and the watchful eyes of overnight patrols.
In a bid to prevent further incidents, Parkway Central Park remains closed on Wednesday, Feb. 14, with officials affirming the placement of additional traps and ongoing patrols as measures of precaution. Arlington's resolve is clear, with its public safety teams and the community on high alert, all are advised to follow the City of Arlington's social media for updates on the containment efforts and park accessibility.
