BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Washington state wildlife officers are setting traps for a coyote that nipped two small boys in a Seattle suburb.

Wildlife crews are warning people who live in Bellevue, Washington's Eastgate area about the coyote.

Jacob Town, 4, was bitten in the bottom Wednesday evening while playing in his front yard while his mother was working nearby, and 18-month-old Tristan Bec was nipped on the ear and scalp as he played with his brother at a school playground.

The boys were treated for minor puncture wounds and scratches, and given rabies shots as a precaution.

A captain with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said the attacks are the most recent of five confirmed coyote encounters in the past month. He said all probably involve the same animal.

In March, a coyote bit a woman in the leg as she was, officials said. In another case in March, a coyote attacked a poodle that was on a leash about two miles away in Issaquah, Wash.

A federal animal control officer will determine how the coyote will be captured. Options include using a tranquilizer dart shot or setting out traps.

"Trapping coyotes is extremely difficult, but we have to make every effort to remove any dangerous wild animal that has clearly lost its fear of humans," Capt. Bill Hebner of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Whatever option is used, the coyote will be euthanized humanely and tested for rabies, Hebner said.

Officials said people can reduce their risk of a confrontation with a coyote with these precautions.:

Keep garbage and compost piles securely covered.

Keep pet food and water inside and keep pets indoors or confined in a kennel or covered exercise yard.

Do not feed wildlife on the ground, keep wild bird seed in elevated feeders designed for birds, and clean up spilled seed from the ground;

Do not feed feral cats; coyotes prey on the cats and feed on cat food left out for them.

Minimize ground cover vegetation near children's play areas, to avoid attracting rodents and small mammals that in turn attract coyotes

Use noise-making devices when coyotes are seen. Check with local authorities regarding noise and weapons ordinances.

Be assertive toward coyotes that do not show fear of humans