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10-year-old Hailey Nyberg was attacked by a coyote on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Alyshia Nyberg)

‘I screamed as loud as I could’: Brooks girl survives coyote attack

Dec 28, 2023 | 9:17 AM

BROOKS, AB – A 10-year-old girl is receiving treatment in hospital after being attacked by a coyote.

A family from Brooks said they had to make a quick stop on the side of Highway 1 on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, for their daughter to take a bathroom break.

They stopped approximately 23 kilometers west of Ralston near Tilley when 10-year-old Hailey Nyberg was attacked the animal.

Hailey told Pattison Media that it happened at around 7:30 p.m. when they were heading to Brooks from Medicine Hat.

“My parents stopped and I was about to use the washroom but something came running at me,” Hailey said.

“I thought it was a dog, but it wasn’t, and it was a coyote,” she added.

“He grabbed onto my leg three times. I screamed as loud as I could. I tried hopping onto the garbage can. He tried to drag me to the field.”

Alyshia Nyberg, the girl’s mother, said she heard a “blood curdling scream.” She opened the door and let her husband know that their daughter was being attacked and he took over from there.

Dustin, her father, said he was shocked.

“I just got out of the car and ran over and I started yelling and I was able to grab her and pull her away,” Dustin said.

“The coyote was still latched onto her at that point. Me yelling at him didn’t scare him away,” Dustin added. “I finally got the coyote off her and was able to get her to the car and got her in the back seat.”

He continued, “The coyote was still [attacking]. Even once I had her, he was still coming towards us. He was on a mission.”

The Nybergs called 911 and emergency personnel were ready to attend to Hailey at the Brooks Hospital as soon as they arrived.

Hailey received some additional vaccinations the following morning because of the bite.

Dustin added that when he talked to Alberta Fish and Wildlife, they told him that coyotes are becoming less afraid of people because they are being fed.

Hailey added that she wants people to make sure to check their surroundings at all times and to stop feeding the coyotes.

The family said they wanted people to hear their story so they are more aware of coyotes and that it does not happen to someone else.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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