36°
The incident took place around 4 p.m. Sunday at James M. Carroll Park on Kensico Road when police said a coyote attacked a 5-year-old girl who was playing on the playground.
The child, who was at the park with her parents, was "just playing with other children when the coyote approached and bit her," said Mount Pleasant Police Lt. Robert Miliambro.
An off-duty Irvington police officer, Angelo Liberatore, jumped on the coyote and held it down until Mount Pleasant police arrived and shot and killed the animal, said Miliambro.
The child received one bite, the officer was scratched, he added.
Both were taken to Westchester Medical Center for treatment, Miliambro said.
Miliambro said the coyote will be tested for rabies by the Westchester County Department of Health.
"We have coyotes in the area but they have never been a problem, Miliambro said. "They will usually just run into the woods."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Pelham and receive free news updates.
