Conservation officers are reminding the public not to feed wildlife in the area after a coyote bit a two-year-old girl and was put down by officials near Central elementary Monday morning.

While information on the child's condition wasn't available by the Tri-City News' deadline Tuesday, conservation officer Terry Myroniuk said the youngster suffered several puncture wounds.

"She is quite lucky," he said. "There were people that were there who intervened quite quickly. She sustained some minor punctures to her head and ear."

Myroniuk said he believed the child sought medical attention shortly after the attack.

The coyote is believed to have been in the area for some time.

Myroniuk said the incident was especially troubling because conservation officers found dog food and table scraps, like chicken legs and mashed potatoes, in the animal's stomach.

"This is a classic example of why we urge the public not to feed wildlife," he said. "They can lose their fear of people and incidents like this can occur."

Last week several residents from Mary Hill elementary complained to officials after a coyote lunged at another child.

Myroniuk could not confirm whether it was the same animal, but the coyote involved in both incidents has been described as missing most of its hair and possibly suffering from mange.

A resident living near Mary Hill elementary had been seen feeding the animal. Parents from the school had asked them to stop.

"Once somebody started feeding it from their apartment block, that is when it became a threat," said Kim Stack, the president of Mary Hill's parent advisory committee last week. "Parents have asked them to stop. They say they feel sorry for it."

That is the kind of attitude conservation officials like Myroniuk are trying to discourage.

"This kind of behaviour is not abnormal when we have animals that have been fed," he said. "It is something that will typically happen once the animal has learned it need not fear people."

Myroniuk said conservation officers are investigating several people who were reported to be feeding the animal. But without eye-witnesses, he added, it is unlikely that charges will be filed.

He encourages those who see people feeding wildlife to call the Report All Poachers and Polluters hotline at 1-877-952-7277.

Coyotes are considered to be extremely opportunistic animals.

Phil Dubrulle, the co-ordinator of the Co-Existing With Coyotes program at the Stanley Park Ecology Society, said it is important to make the animals uncomfortable when they wander into populated areas.

He said shaking a noise maker or growling at the animal can often make it leave and not return.

"Be big, be mean and be loud," he said in an interview with the Tri-City News last week. "The perceptions are out there that the coyotes will attack people... Their nature is to be afraid of people. As long as their is room for them to go, they will go away."

For more information about coyotes and their habits go to www.stanleyparkecology.ca and follow the links.

gmckenna@tricitynews.com