Terror at the Mall as Coyote Attacks Two Small Children

A quiet evening near a busy San Diego shopping center turned terrifying Tuesday night when a wild coyote lunged at two young children, leaving a 3-year-old girl bleeding and hospitalized.

The shocking attack happened just after 9 p.m. near the popular Westfield UTC Mall in La Jolla, one of the city’s busiest commercial districts. Witnesses described chaos as parents screamed and grabbed their kids while the animal darted through the parking area before vanishing into the night.

“She had blood on her arm and hip — everyone was just panicking,” said one witness who saw the aftermath but declined to be identified. “It was something you’d never expect outside a mall.”

According to the San Diego Police Department, the toddler suffered bite wounds to her hip and arm. She was rushed to Rady Children’s Hospital and is now recovering. Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that a second child was also injured, though details of that child’s condition have not been made public.

By the time emergency responders arrived, the animal had fled. Wildlife officers have been combing the area surrounding the mall, setting up traps and reviewing security footage to locate the coyote responsible.

While coyote attacks are rare, experts warn that human encroachment into wildlife habitats — and the easy access to garbage near commercial centers — is leading to more encounters.

“It’s very uncommon for coyotes to approach people,” said Angela Hernandez-Cusick, Wildlife Rehabilitation Supervisor at the San Diego Humane Society’s Wildlife Center in Ramona. “They’re naturally afraid of humans. But this time of year, young coyotes start leaving their family groups to find their own territories — and that can bring them into conflict with people.”

She added that the abundance of trash and food near shopping centers often attracts hungry coyotes searching for easy meals. “It’s not completely unheard of that they’ll venture into places like malls or neighborhoods,” she said. “There’s food everywhere, and that’s a big draw.”

Residents around La Jolla and University City say this isn’t the first close encounter. Several neighbors reported seeing coyotes near the mall and along nearby hiking trails in recent weeks. One local parent told NBC San Diego, “We see them late at night, even near playgrounds. I’m scared to let my kids play outside after dark now.”

Wildlife officials are urging the public to stay alert and report any sightings. They also reminded residents to secure trash cans, avoid feeding pets outdoors, and carry noise-making devices when walking at night.

As of Wednesday, authorities were still searching for the animal believed responsible for the attack. “We want to make sure this coyote doesn’t hurt anyone else,” said a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Our goal is to locate it quickly and determine whether it poses an ongoing threat.”

For now, parents in San Diego’s upscale shopping district are shaken — a stark reminder that even in the heart of the city, nature can bite back.

Source: ABC 10News San Diego | Fox 5 San Diego | NBC San Diego