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A toddler experienced a terrifying encounter with a coyote just outside his Pasadena, California home on Monday, as shown in surveillance footage that documented the alarming incident.
The video reveals a 3-year-old boy sprinting onto the driveway before coming to a sudden halt. Clearly startled, he quickly turned back, racing away while emitting a frightened scream.
Shortly after, the coyote entered the frame, closely pursuing the child. As the animal navigated through the family’s front yard and past the camera, a significantly louder scream, likely from an adult, could be heard.
Local station KABC-TV reported that the boy’s mother was just steps behind him when the chilling incident took place.
The child flees after encountering the coyote near his home. (Leonard Bessemer via Storyful)
“Sal went out the gate like he always does before me,” Aida Svelto told the outlet, referring to her son. “Then I heard a scream, and Sal came running back. He grabbed onto my legs, then I screamed because I saw a big, giant coyote.”
After the scream, the coyote reappeared on camera, retreating back the way it had come.
Salvo was reportedly left unscathed, despite the close call.
A child runs from a coyote in Pasadena, California.Â
Coyotes are not uncommon in the hilly neighborhood of South California, but the mother said she had never experienced one intentionally crossing into her property.
“We have seen them, but they typically just stay on the street,” Svelto told KABC-TV. “I really didn’t feel nervous. Now I’m nervous.”
“This one was bigger and scarier, and I just really didn’t think that he would go after a kid,” she added. “It’s one thing to see them go after a chihuahua or rabbit or whatever, but he’s pretty big, so it was scary.”
A coyote follows a 3-year-old boy running back to his house in Pasadena, California. (Leonard Bessemer via Storyful)
Experts say animals are especially active and inquisitive during this time of year, as mating season drives them to search for mates and additional food sources.
While coyotes are native to California and play a valuable role in controlling rodent populations and cleaning up animal carcasses, they are also known to sometimes target small pets and, in rare instances, humans.
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