Girl, 6, scratched, bitten by coyotes who attacked as she played in front yard in NYC suburb

Girl, 6, scratched, bitten by coyotes in NY suburb

RYE, N.Y. — Police say a 6-year-old girl was scratched and bitten by a pair of coyotes who charged her as she played with friends in the front yard of her suburban New York City home.

The girl was treated and released from the hospital. She had bites on her shoulder, thigh and possibly on one ear. Her back had been scratched.

Police in the Westchester County city of Rye, about 30 miles northeast of Manhattan, said Saturday that they were searching for the coyotes.

Police Commissioner William Connors says they believe the animals may be rabid, given that coyotes rarely attack humans.

Connors didn’t identify the girl or say where she lived. He says the girl’s mother scared off the pair of coyotes.

The attack happened about 9:15 p.m. Friday.

Information from: The Journal News, www.thejournalnews.com