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Dad Strangles Coyote To Death After It Attacks Two-Year-Old Son

Dad Strangles Coyote To Death After It Attacks Two-Year-Old Son

Ian O'Reilly said instinct kicked in

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A dad says he strangled a coyote to death after it attacked his toddler son.

Police in New Hampshire, US, said Ian O'Reilly went into 'protection mode' when he saw the animal grab his two-year-old son's hood and pull him to the ground.

O'Reilly was out walking on a hiking trail with his wife and three kids on Monday morning when the coyote struck, sinking its teeth into the boy.

The couple were able to separate the animal and their son, and O'Reilly attempted to shoo the animal away.

O'Reilly told WMUR that he initially tried to push or kick the coyote to make it leave, but that the animal responded by biting his arm and chest.

The dad says he was then left with no choice but to fight, so he pushed the coyote's snout down to the ground and stared to choke the animal.

O'Reilly told WMUR: "I was able to get its head into the snow and get my hand around its snout, so it could no longer bite me. And then, from there, I was able to suffocate it by using my body weight and scissor-locking it until basically expiring."

He added: "In the middle of the moment you're not really thinking. It's really just instinct. The fact that when we tried to kick and push and get rid of him, it became clear that he was not disengaging."

Police said: "The coyote attacked a young child, and the child's dad went into protection mode and suffocated the coyote until it succumbed."

Fortunately, O'Reilly's little boy was not bitten in the attack.

WMUR

The incident happened just hours after police issued a warning to locals to watch out for coyotes following an earlier attack.

Kensington Police urged residents to be wary after an attack in the area of Wild Pasture Road & Hemlock Road.

Officials warned people to keep their pet and children inside.

An alert shared by cops, read: "Coyote attack in the area of Wild Pasture Road and Hemlock Road. Keep your pets and children in your residence. If you spot the coyote do not approach it and call the Kensington Police immediately."

Featured Image Credit: Kensington Police

Topics: US News, Animals