A coyote suspected of attacking a mother and her 4-year-old son in Fairfield Thursday was shot and killed, police said.

The victims had only minor injuries. The 37-year-old woman was walking in the area between the tennis courts and the Fairfield Community Pool near the woods at about 7 p.m.

Someone else let her know a coyote was following behind her. When the mother from Fairfield turned around, the coyote pounced on top of her. She fell, with the stroller going down with her.

The coyote bit her on the back of the leg and then turned toward the child, police said. The animal bit the boy on the right leg, but onlookers ran to their aid and chased the coyote away.

Police shut down the park and started hunting the animal. Among them was Sgt. Frank Tracey. He was driving down Big Piece Road when he saw a shadowy figure resembling a coyote. He grabbed his M4 patrol rifle and entered the yard where he saw the animal.

All he saw was a cat, at least at first. Then he saw the coyote not far behind, emerging from behind a pool. The animal started moving toward Tracey, so the sergeant fired several shots and killed the beast.

The Associated Humane Society took the coyote's body to test it for rabies.

Some Fairfield residents reported that a dog was attacked by a coyote Wednesday evening, though police said it is unclear if it was the same one.

Police warned residents to still be wary of coyotes despite one less in town.

"The police department intends to deploy officers with rifles in the park and at several scheduled events taking place at the community pool and a nearby school to assure the safety of the public as best as we can,” Police Chief Anthony Manna said.

Coyotes in New Jersey

Coyotes are often seen in North Jersey, with local police departments frequently issuing warnings upon a sighting. Attacks, though, are "extremely rare," according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Coyotes are more likely to attack small pets.

In 2017, a woman was surrounded by coyotes while walking her dog in Saddle River, but was not injured.

Spring and summer marks the time when coyotes have babies. Conflicts between coyotes and humans can happen more often when the adults are out searching for food for their offspring.

Coyotes have been seen in nearly 400 municipalities through 21 counties in New Jersey, according to the state DEP.

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com

More local news

Animal control:Online petition started to oppose River Vale deer hunt

Police:David Ortiz shooting suspect wanted in 2017 Clifton armed robberies

More:Worth the wait? People pulled all-nighter for chance at free Chick-fil-A in Morris Plains