MIDDLETOWN, N.J., April 11 (UPI) -- Ryan Palludan, 11, saved his 20-month-old nephew Liam Sadler from a coyote after the animal attacked the toddler in Ryan's grandfather's New Jersey yard.
Both children were visiting New Jersey to attend Ryan's grandfather's funeral.
Ryan, who lives in Arkansas, and Liam, who lives in Florida, were playing outside the home in Middletown Friday evening when they heard rustling in the shrubs.
The New York Daily News reported Ryan thought it was a deer. Suddenly, the animal leapt from the bushes and jumped on Liam. The coyote bit the toddler on his neck and tried to drag him into the woods.
The paper says Ryan screamed and kicked until the coyote let the toddler go.
Ryan's father, who grew up in the house, said he didn't know there were coyotes in the area.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife says this is the second known attack. A woman was bitten in 1999.
The baby was treated for scratches and received rabies shots. Otherwise, Liam was not "seriously injured."
