ARLINGTON, Texas — The city of Arlington reopened Parkway Central Park on Tuesday, a week after three children were attacked by a coyote in separate incidents.
Last Wednesday, police and Arlington Animal Services captured a coyote they said was responsible for the attacks. The coyote was euthanized and tested negative for rabies.
After the incidents, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Wildlife Services surveyed the park overnight. Staff did not observe any coyotes within the park space, but they did observe two coyotes in the surrounding area. USDA staff say those coyotes did not display any concerning behavior at that time, and that they do not consider them a threat to the public at this time.
On Tuesday, Justine Hale and his daughter visited the park after school let out nearby. Hale told WFAA he was surprised when he learned of the attacks that happened last week.
“I see them all the time on the trails by River Legacy,” Hale said. “I wasn’t scared, cause it seemed like an isolated incident.”
USDA staff reported noticing multiple overflowing trash containers in the area, which can attract coyotes to inhabited areas. The city urges residents to keep trash lids closed.
All three children that were bitten at the park or in the parking lot between Saturday, Feb. 10 and Tuesday, Feb. 13 have been treated for their injuries and have been released from the hospital, city officials say. They will all receive post-exposure rabies treatment.
Residents are encouraged to make online reports of coyote sightings in Arlington by visiting the City’s Action Center webpage and scrolling down to “Wildlife Sighting.”