The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources says four coyotes have been captured and killed around New Waterford in the last 10 days.

"Three of them were yearlings from a family group," said Andy Pyke, a wildlife technician with the Department of Natural Resources.

"The fourth was a large male. That particular animal had an injury to its jaw so it was rather skinny but it was still a mature animal."

Pyke said officials can't be sure whether one of the captured coyotes is the same one that knocked a 16-year-old girl to the ground in New Waterford on Sept. 14.

The girl walking to the Breton Education Centre along railroad tracks near her home when she was struck from behind. The animal scratched her face and was scared away by a car horn.

The girl was left shaken, but not seriously hurt.

"The young lady wasn't bitten, but was scratched. This animal wasn't capable of biting and it wasn't in the best of shape," said Pyke.

"It kind of makes you wonder if that could have been it, but we can't say with any confidence."

Pyke said he was pleased with the progress the trappers have made so far.

"A lot of times, in more outlying areas it seems the animals cover larger territories so you may not see them come back around to that particular area for a week or longer, depending on other food sources."

"To have that many animals concentrated and staying around that area, it kind of made our work easy."

All four animals were put down, Pyke said.

Trapping will continue for at least another couple of weeks, although that may be extended depending on the trappers' progress.