Video footage of a coyote attack shows the horrific moment that the beast mauls a little girl's face.
The toddler was attacked in Huntington Beach, California while she and her mother played.
Fox 11 released video which shows the animal sprinting towards the child, who is thought to be around two or three years old.
Her mum and one other child were having fun on the ocean shore on Thursday evening when the incident happened.
The horrific footage shows the beast jumping on to the girl which knocked her over and appearing to bite her around the face area.
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"There was blood all over her face," a witness told Fox 11.
Police confirmed the attack had happened at roughly 9.45pm, the Huntington Beach.
"PoliceDepartment (HBPD) responded to reports of a coyote attack on the beach, north of the pier.
"Upon arrival, officers located an injured female child.
"The child was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
"Due to the fact that the victim is a minor, we do not plan to release any further details on the victim.
The HBPD is working in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Game int racking and euthanising the coyote involved.
"There is no further information available at this time.
The HBPD has been conducting increased trapping efforts throughout the City over the last several weeks.
"We ask that the community notify us of coyote sightings by calling (714) 960-8811 so that we may continue our ongoing public safety efforts."
The Los Angeles Times reports police saw two coyotes nearby and fired at them.
"The first coyote was shot and killed near Pacific Coast Highway and Goldenwest Street.
"The second coyote, believed to be the one that attacked the girl, was also shot but eluded capture and escaped into the wetlands near Beach Boulevard and Atlanta Avenue"
Local people in the area told Fox 11 they were not surprised at the attack
One woman said: "I've been here 40 year, and this year's been the worst,"
Other people told the station coyotes have been spotted hanging around kids' playgrounds in the area.
"It's really not afraid of us at all"
Authorities have increased their efforts to trap the animals and have warned people not to feed them.
But attacks are not unusual and people have been urged not to scare them off by making load noises.
Patrick Foy told the Los Angeles Times “Don’t feed them. That’s the most important thing we can do as a society to keep coyotes from being too comfortable around people.”
