Haverhill, Mass. – Police in the city are urging residents to remain vigilant after a coyote was observed watching a 2‑year‑old child and later biting a neighbor on Friday night.
According to the Haverhill Police Department, the animal was first spotted “eyeballing” the toddler, identified as Remy, while a neighbor intervened. Remy’s mother, Katie Murphy, said her daughter was “blissfully unaware” of the danger.
Confrontation and injury
When the coyote approached, Remy’s father, John Murphy, grabbed a folding chair and struck the animal on the head. The neighbor, William Wilder, also used a shovel, believing he had killed the coyote. “I saw the coyote on top of him, so I just started hitting the coyote with it in the head,” John Murphy said.
Wilder described how the animal continued to attack, prompting him to move the children from a nearby bouncy house into their home. “Once it was unconscious we ran the kids inside, and then it woke up and we hit it a couple more times; it didn’t want to go away,” he recalled.
Vehicle collisions and police response
After the struggle, the coyote managed to get up and was struck by two separate vehicles over an indeterminate period. Despite the impacts, the animal survived and was last seen heading toward the area behind Solid Slice Pizzeria and Pub.
Haverhill police deployed a drone in an effort to locate the creature, but the search was unsuccessful. While officials believe the coyote may be deceased, they have not confirmed its status and continue to caution the public.
Public safety advice
Police are reminding residents to keep pets indoors, supervise children outdoors, and report any further wildlife sightings promptly. “We want the community to stay safe and avoid unnecessary encounters with wildlife,” a police spokesperson said.
Wilder captured video of the coyote attacking a basketball hoop and a large pole he used in an attempt to deter the animal. He noted, “I thought it was a German Shepherd, and it was a coyote! I took my broom and tried to shoo it away. It looked right at me and kept grabbing my chair and other items.”
The investigation remains open, and authorities will continue monitoring the situation. Residents are encouraged to follow any updates from the Haverhill Police Department.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
