VIDEO: Young Girl Attacked By Coyote At Southern California Beach

A young girl suffered severe injuries after being attacked by a coyote at a Southern California beach on Thursday night (April 28). According to NBC Los Angeles, the girl may have been bitten in the face and was hospitalized but her injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Officers were called out to the beach north of Huntington Beach Pier around 10:00 P.M. after they received reports of a coyote attack. The coyote was caught on camera running on the beach with patrol SUVs tracking its location. The attack was also captured on video, showing the animal running to the girl and knocking her into the sand. The coyote then appears to pounce on the girl while the adults standing on the shoreline have their backs turned.

The Huntington Beach Police Department and the California Department of Fish and Game are working to track the coyote. NBC reports a coyote was found dead later the next day on the beach but it wasn't clear whether it was the same coyote from the attack. Runners at the beach say coyote sightings in the area are very common. Coyotes sightings can be reported to 714-960-8811. The Department of Fish and Wildlife suggests the following coyote precautions:

• Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes
• Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended
• Keep in mind coyotes are more active in the spring while feeding and protecting their young
• If a coyote attacks someone, immediately contact the nearest Department of Fish and Wildlife or law enforcement officials.