Oakville residents are being told to be on the lookout for a coyote after a young girl was bitten Thursday afternoon.

The eight-year-old girl was not seriously hurt by the animal when it bit her while on a pathway behind Cannonridge Circle and then chased her home just before 4 p.m.

Halton Regional Police officers, along with Oakville Animal Control and the Ministry of Natural Resources, were called in and later tracked the coyote to the same pathway where it was shot by an officer.

Police say more than one set of tracks were found in the area, which indicates more than one animal was in the area. Police are suggesting that people be vigilante when walking near forested areas.

In October 2011 a coyote was reported roaming in Mississauga Valley Park but officials were unable to locate the animal.