Fall River Child Encounters Coyote in Disturbing Footage [VIDEO]

Just when you thought it was safer to go outside during a worldwide pandemic, think again.

For some odd reason, at least the way I see it, coyotes are becoming less afraid of humans. Just a couple of weeks ago, a child in Fall River was reportedly bit and dragged by a coyote while attending a birthday party. Despite there being at least 10 adults standing around, the coyote decided to take a chance in broad daylight and attacked the child.

I spoke with a relative of the child, Joy Gagliardi, who told Fun 107 that they've been trying to get answers from the Fall River Animal Control and Police Department but have yet to hear anything back from either.

"We called the police and nobody came to check on the situation," Gagliardi said.

Now, flash-forward two weeks later to Wednesday, September 9, when a second encounter with a coyote occurred in the same location off Mount Hope Avenue in Fall River. Video surveillance was captured from Gagliardi's home security camera:

Although the video is somewhat blurry, there are five kids riding bikes and five adults watching them. Usually, with a large group like this and all the noise and commotion going on, a coyote would keep a far distance. This however, was not the case.

"My seven-year-old granddaughter Ellison noticed the coyote and shouted out," Gagliardi said, "That's what got our attention."

The footage shows the coyote crossing the street and heading straight for 18-month old Colton, who almost became victim to a coyote attack.

The family lives in a quiet rural neighborhood made up of single-family homes in Fall River's South End. There have been several encounters with coyotes in the area, but Gagliardi claimed that no one within Animal Control or the Police Department will do anything to help or remove the animal.

"Last year, there were three coyotes sleeping on our porch and we were told by the police to just bang pots and pans to scare them away," Gagliardi said.

According to Gagliardi, Animal Control officers told the family that people are most likely feeding the coyote, so it is getting used to being around people.

I've personally seen this happen and was able to capture it on film back on Thanksgiving of 2018. A full-grown coyote went right up to the backyard glass slider and watched us eat dinner while it helped itself to some cat food left out for our outdoor cat.

I reached out to the Fall River Animal Control for comment on the situation and apparently there is an influx of coyote sightings and calls to the station reporting that the coyotes are not scared of humans and are hanging around freely.

There was a den around the area of Bailey, Summit, and Howland Streets that was recently knocked down in the woodland area to build houses, causing the coyotes to move closer to the residential houses in the neighborhood. They're becoming more socialized and adaptive to hanging around people and becoming less skittish.

Fall River Animal Control reported that as of right now, there is nothing that they can physically do to help, but is encouraging anyone who has had an encounter with or any sightings to contact the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075. Let them know where you witnessed the coyote so that they can begin tracking them.

If you come in contact with a coyote, notify the police as soon as possible and keep your distance.