An aggressive coyote that reportedly bit three children at an Arlington park tested negative for rabies, city officials said Friday.
Officials had said on Thursday that Arlington Animal Services captured a coyote believed to be responsible for biting three children at Parkway Central Park in separate incidents. Texas Health and Human Services tested the canine after it was humanely euthanized, the city of Arlington said in a Friday news release.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Wildlife Services staff surveyed the park, according to the release. The staff did not find any coyotes within the park but observed two in the surrounding area.
“The coyotes did not display any concerning behavior at that time, and the USDA staff does not consider them a threat to the public at this time,” city officials wrote in the release.
Parkway Central Park, located in the 600 block of Van Buren Drive, will be closed to the public until Tuesday, according to the release.
Officials added that USDA staff did see multiple overflowing trash containers in the area, which they say can attract coyotes. They encouraged residents to keep trash within their cans with lids closed.
The city initially closed the park on Tuesday after officials learned of the attacks between Feb. 10 and Tuesday. According to the city, the kids were playing on the playground or in the parking lot when they were reportedly attacked.
Each child was treated for their injuries and released from the hospital, officials said. After the attacks, police and animal services patrolled the area and set traps.
Coyotes are usually drawn to residential areas if food, shelter or unattended pets are accessible. While aggressive behavior toward people can be abnormal for coyotes, according to the National Park Service, there have been instances in both Dallas and Frisco of attacks.