Six-year-old child encounters violent encounter with coyote during sister's softball match in Southern California.
In Carson, California, a 6-year-old boy named Enoch Palomar was the unfortunate victim of a rare, yet severe coyote attack during a softball game at Del Amo Park on a Monday morning [1][2][3][4]. The incident, which left Enoch requiring 20 stitches and several rabies shots, serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that coyotes pose, especially in urban areas.
Coyote attacks on people, particularly children, in Carson and California overall are considered uncommon by wildlife officials. However, the increasing presence of coyotes in urban areas means these incidents cannot be entirely ruled out [2].
To mitigate the risks and ensure the safety of its residents, the City of Carson has taken proactive measures. This includes posting signage in all city parks warning of coyote activity and providing instructions on how to report sightings [2]. Residents are also advised to keep small children and pets close, avoid leaving food or trash outdoors, and remain vigilant [2].
In the event of a coyote encounter, people are encouraged to make loud noises (yelling, clapping, blowing whistles) and appear larger (waving arms) to scare off the animal [2]. If a coyote approaches closely, individuals should back away slowly without running [2]. In the event of an attack, victims should "fight back" aggressively and afterward call Animal Control or 911 immediately to report the incident [2].
Wildlife officers may collect evidence (e.g., clothing for DNA testing) to attempt to locate and remove aggressive coyotes from the area [1]. The city's commitment includes community education, park safety reinforcement, and wildlife monitoring to reduce risks while maintaining safe public recreational spaces [2].
Melissa Palomar, Enoch's mother, hopes sharing her son's experience will raise awareness about the dangers of coyotes. She rushed to help her son when she heard him scream, as the coyote bit the back of Enoch's head and both of his legs [5]. Fortunately, Enoch was able to speak with KABC on Thursday about his hospital experience, mentioning his dislike of shots and nose things [6].
Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes is deeply saddened by the incident at Del Amo Park and urges the public to remain vigilant, avoid leaving food or trash that may attract wildlife, and report any coyote encounters [7]. The City of Carson provides an official Coyote Report page and a phone number for reporting coyote sightings [7].
This guidance reflects recommendations from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and local officials based on the August 2025 Carson incident and general wildlife safety protocols [1][2]. If a coyote attack occurs, it is crucial to remember to fight back and report the incident immediately to authorities.
| Aspect | Details | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Frequency | Coyotes common in area; attacks on children uncommon but possible | | Prevention | Warning signs, avoiding food/trash outside, keeping children/pets close, noise deterrents, vigilance | | Response to Encounter | Slowly back away, make loud noises, appear large, fight back if attacked, report to authorities immediately | | City Actions | Park signage, public education, evidence collection for aggressive wildlife, ongoing safety and monitoring efforts |
References:
[1] California Department of Fish and Wildlife. (n.d.). Coyote Encounters. Retrieved from https://wildlife.ca.gov/wildlife/coyotes
[2] City of Carson. (n.d.). Coyote Safety. Retrieved from https://www.cityofcarson.org/coyotesafety
[3] KABC. (2025, August). Boy, 6, attacked by coyote at Carson softball game. Retrieved from https://abc7.com/coyote-attack-carson-softball-game/10022905/
[4] Los Angeles Times. (2025, August). Boy, 6, bitten by coyote at Carson softball game. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-08-15/boy-6-bitten-by-coyote-at-carson-softball-game
[5] NBC Los Angeles. (2025, August). Boy, 6, attacked by coyote at Carson softball game. Retrieved from https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/boy-6-attacked-by-coyote-at-carson-softball-game/2661983/
[6] KABC. (2025, August). Boy, 6, who was attacked by coyote at Carson softball game speaks out. Retrieved from https://abc7.com/boy-6-coyote-attack-carson-softball-game-eno-palomar/10023168/
[7] City of Carson. (n.d.). Coyote Report. Retrieved from https://www.cityofcarson.org/coyotereport
- Despite the rarity of coyote attacks on people, especially children, in Carson, California, it's important to stay aware of the potential dangers, given the increasing presence of coyotes in urban areas.
- In line with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and local officials' recommendations, residents are advised to follow preventive measures such as keeping children and pets close, avoiding food and trash outdoors, and being vigilant when in city parks, due to the reported coyote activity.
